Highlights
- •Biliary atresia is the most common indication of liver transplantation in children.
- •Biliary atresia mimics common conditions such as physiologic jaundice.
- •Biliary atresia presents with elevated levels of conjugated (direct) bilirubin.
- •Stool color cards proved to be 95.2% sensitive and showed cost-effectiveness.
- •Routine screening and early diagnosis may improve outcomes and decrease costs.
Abstract
Biliary atresia is the number one indication for liver transplantation in children.
The pathophysiology involves congenital or acquired damage to the bile ducts, which
causes inadequate drainage and resultant liver failure. The diagnosis of biliary atresia
is frequently missed due to the lack of standardized testing and few distinctive clinical
manifestations. Newborns with biliary atresia usually appear healthy at birth and
subsequently develop jaundice, acholic stools, and later ascites. Early intervention
with the Kasai procedure is imperative to stop liver fibrosis and prevent premature
death. Most children eventually require a liver transplant despite a successful Kasai
procedure.
Keywords
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Biography
Kameron Berry Price, BSN, RN, is an graduate student in the family nurse practitioner program at Clemson University, Clemson, SC. She is a perioperative nurse at AnMed Health Women's and Children's Hospital, Anderson, SC, and can be contacted at [email protected]
Biography
Heide S. Temples, PhD, PPCNP-BC, IBCLC, is an associate professor at Clemson University, Greenville, SC, and a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner and lactation consultant in Seneca, SC.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 15, 2022
Footnotes
In compliance with standard ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that would pose a conflict of interest.
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© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
