clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2023
About one-third of patients are jaundiced at birth. In all, jaundice is present by the end of the first week and deepens progressively.
Other features include:
- pale stools, indicating obstruction
- dark urine
- pruritus
- often hepatomegaly and splenomegaly
In untreated, or unsuccessfully treated biliary atresia there may be clubbing and skin xanthomas, a result of the raised serum cholesterol.
The occasional patient may be thriving and be without hepatomegaly but will still require prompt diagnosis if biliary cirrhosis is to be avoided.