Biliary Atresia condition treatment in India

Biliary Atresia condition

Biliary atresia is a condition in newborn babies in wherein bile is blocked from moving from the liver to the small intestine. Bile is a substance that is made and released by the liver. Then, it moves through a network of tube-like structures called bile ducts to the small intestine, where it helps the body break down and absorb food. In children who have biliary atresia, the bile ducts are blocked because of damage and scarring. As a result, bile can’t flow to the small intestine. Instead, it builds up in the liver and damages it.

Causes

• Inflammation (swelling) and scarring caused by problems with the immune system
• Infection by a virus
• Exposure to harmful chemicals
• Mutations (changes) in the genes. (Biliary atresia is not inherited from the baby’s parents.)

Symptoms

• Jaundice (skin and eyes appear yellow)
• Light beige stools (Normal stool color for infants is yellow, green or brown.)
• Dark brown urine
• A swollen belly (as the liver and spleen grow)
• Difficulty gaining weight
• Ascites (fluid in the belly)
• Liver failure after several months if the biliary atresia is not treated

Diagnosis

• Blood tests to check the levels of bilirubin and to look for signs of liver damage
• Ultrasound- A procedure that transmits high-frequency sound waves through body tissues. The echoes are recorded and transformed into images of the internal structures of the body.
• Liver biopsy -(the removal of cells or tissue from the liver for examination)
• Hepatobiliary scan- In which a radioactive substance (tracer) is injected into the bloodstream. If the tracer is not excreted through the liver, the patient may have biliary atresia.
• Cholangiogram- Wherein dye is injected into the gallbladder to see if it has a main bile duct. If it does not, the doctor can diagnose biliary atresia.

Treatment

The main treatment is a surgery called the Kasai procedure. In this surgery, the surgeon removes the damaged bile ducts from outside the liver and replaces them with a piece of the patient’s small intestine. The small intestine will then drain the liver directly to the small intestine. This surgery is successful in most cases of biliary atresia. However, if it is not successful, the child will likely need a liver transplant. The child may need a liver transplant even if the surgery is successful, depending on when the surgery is performed.

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Frequently asked questions

Q. At what age is biliary atresia diagnosed?

This is the most common type. It appears after birth, most often when a baby is about 2 to 4 weeks old.

Q. Why do babies get biliary atresia?

• While coming into contact with harmful chemicals
• Problems with the immune system
• A problem during liver and bile duct development in the womb
• Certain genes or changes in genes—called mutations—that may increase the chances of developing biliary atresia.

Q. How long can you live with biliary atresia?

Overall survival with a native liver (not transplanted) ranges from 30-55 percent at 5 years of age; and 30-40 percent at 10 years of age. It is thought that approximately 80 percent of patients with biliary atresia will require liver transplantation by the age of 20.

Q. How can I make my baby liver strong?

Vegetables and fruits should be particularly important in your children's diet. Make sure there are vegetable or fruit at all meals and snacks. This group of foods will provide fiber, vitamins and minerals that help the liver to work efficiently.