providing treatment for patients with biliary atresia

Biliary atresia is a condition that affects the liver and bile duct. Biliary atresia is a rare disease that occurs in about one in 12,000 infants in the U.S. Symptoms usually start between two to eight weeks after birth.

With biliary atresia there is scarring on the bile ducts. Bile ducts carry bile from the liver to the intestine. Bile is an important fluid for digesting food. When bile cannot get out of the liver it causes damage. Damaging the liver can cause liver failure. The cause of biliary atresia is unknown.

how does Dayton Children's treat biliary atresia?

Babies born with biliary atresia are provided a seamless continuum of care from our expert pediatric surgeons and pediatric gastroenterologists at Dayton Children's within the congenital gastrointestinal surgery program.

Biliary atresia is treated initially with a surgery known as a Kasai procedure. The Kasai procedure is done to improve bile flow from the liver into the intestine. The surgeon will remove the damaged parts of the bile duct and identify smaller ducts that are still working correctly. The surgeon will then connect the working bile ducts to the intestines. In many babies this connection allows bile to flow like it should in a healthy biliary system.

what are the signs of biliary atresia in babies?

Babies with biliary atresia usually seem healthy when they are born. When a baby begins to show the following signs, they may be experiencing symptoms of biliary atresia.

• Juandice
• White-or-clay-colored stools
• Dark urine
• Poor growth
• Weight loss
• Irritability

Because babies can have these symptoms due to different conditions, diagnosing biliary atresia requires testing.

what are the benefits of a Kasai procedure?

If done successfully, the Kasai procedure may slow liver damage and delay, or prevent complications and the need for a liver transplant. The earlier we can do the procedure, the more effective it may be.

will patients end up needing a liver transplant?

Most children with biliary atresia will eventually need a liver transplant, even if their Kasai procedure is successful. If complications arise shortly after surgery, a liver transplant may be needed more immediately. For others, after a successful procedure, a liver transplant may not be needed for years or decades.

why don't all children's hospitals offer the Kasai procedure for babies with biliary atresia?

Biliary atresia is a rare disease that occurs in about one in 12,000 infants in the United States. Rare diseases don't provide as many opportunities for surgeons to become proficient in surgeries and procedures. Dr. Daniel Robie, associate chief medical officer and surgeon-in-chief at Dayton Children's Hospital has performed dozens of Kasai procedures in his 10-year career as a pediatric surgeon. His reputation provides Dayton Children's with the ability to offer this procedure for patients in the Greater Dayton Area and beyond.