Biliary atresia is a congenital or congenital disorder characterized by obstruction of the bile ducts in newborns. Although rare, but this condition can not be taken lightly. If not detected early and treated appropriately, biliary atresia can be fatal for the baby.
Babies born with biliary atresia have abnormalities in their bile ducts, resulting in obstruction of bile flow. As a result, bile will accumulate in the liver, causing permanent liver damage or cirrhosis.
Recognizing Some Causes and Symptoms of Biliary Atresia
Until now, the cause why babies can be born with biliary atresia is still not known with certainty. However, there are several factors that are known to increase the risk of biliary atresia, including:
- Genetic disorders
- Exposure to toxic substances while the baby is still in the womb
- Developmental disorders of the liver or bile ducts
- Immune system disorders
- History of infection during pregnancy
Most newborns with biliary atresia appear healthy. Usually, the symptoms of biliary atresia appear when the baby is 2–3 weeks old. The following are symptoms of biliary atresia that can be experienced by babies:
- Baby looks yellow or jaundice
- Dark urine
- Baby's tummy looks bigger
- The stool is pale in color and has a very strong smell
- Baby's weight decreased
- stunted baby growth
Tests to Diagnose Biliary Atresia
The symptoms of biliary atresia can mimic other health problems in babies, such as hepatitis and cholestasis. Therefore, babies who show the symptoms of biliary atresia above need to be immediately examined by a pediatrician.
To confirm the diagnosis of biliary atresia in infants, the doctor will perform a physical examination and supporting examinations which include:
- X-rays and ultrasound on the baby's stomach, to monitor the condition of the liver and bile
- Cholangiography, namely X-ray examination using a contrast agent in the bile ducts
- Blood test, to check the level of bilirubin in the baby's body
- Liver biopsy, to check the condition of the liver through tissue samples
- ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), to evaluate the condition of the bile, pancreas, and liver.
In addition, doctors can also perform tests hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) or cholescintigraphy to check the function of the ducts and gallbladder in infants.
The Right Way to Treat Biliary Atresia
Biliary atresia can only be treated with surgery. One of the surgical techniques that can be performed to treat biliary atresia is the Kasai surgery technique. This surgical technique can be done through conventional surgery or using laparoscopy.
The Kasai procedure involves connecting the baby's intestines to the liver, so bile can flow directly from the liver to the intestines. This operation can provide effective results if performed before the baby is 2-3 months old.
In severe cases of biliary atresia, the baby's liver can become progressively damaged and over time can lead to liver failure. To treat the condition, the baby will need to undergo liver transplant surgery. Jaundice conditions due to biliary atresia also usually need to be treated with phototherapy.
In fact, not infrequently babies who have undergone Kasai surgery still need to undergo liver transplant surgery to treat biliary atresia and the complications it experiences.
Biliary atresia is a serious medical condition in infants that needs to be treated by pediatricians and pediatric surgeons.
Therefore, you need to immediately check your little one to the doctor if he has complaints that should be suspected as symptoms of biliary atresia. The goal is that this condition can be detected and treated immediately before it causes complications or permanent damage.