Biliary Atresia
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
Biliary atresia is a disease that damages an infant's liver before or shortly after birth. Bile ducts carry bile from your baby's liver to his or her small intestines. Bile helps digest food. When your baby's bile ducts are damaged, bile is trapped in the liver. This can cause cirrhosis (scarring), swelling, and advance to liver failure. The cause of biliary atresia is not known.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- Your baby has trouble breathing, or his or her lips and fingernails are turning blue.
- Your baby has a seizure.
Return to the emergency department if:
- Your baby has more jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) than before.
- Your baby is not able to eat or drink, or is urinating less or not at all.
- Your baby looks very weak or sleeps more than usual.
- Your baby's vomit has blood in it.
Call your baby's doctor if:
- Your baby has a fever.
- Your baby is irritable and crying more than usual.
- Your baby's skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
- You have questions or concerns about your baby's condition or care.
Medicines:
Your baby may need any of the following:
- Your baby may be given medicines to stop itching, decrease bile from his or her liver, and decrease body fluid. Ask your baby's healthcare provider for more information about the medicines your baby is given.
- Antibiotics are given to prevent infections caused by bacteria. Give your baby this medicine exactly as ordered by his or her healthcare provider. Do not stop giving the antibiotics unless directed by a healthcare provider. Never save antibiotics or give your baby leftover antibiotics that were given to him or her for another illness.
- Do not give aspirin to your baby. Your baby could develop Reye syndrome if he or she has a fever and takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your baby's medicine labels for aspirin or salicylates.
- Give your baby's medicine as directed. Call your baby's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him or her if your baby is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your baby takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your baby's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Nutrition:
A dietitian will talk to you about your baby's feeding and nutrition. Ask if you can breastfeed your baby or which formula you should feed him or her. Also ask for more information if your baby needs high-calorie feedings through a nasogastric (NG) tube.
Follow up with your baby's doctor as directed:
Your baby will need to return for monitoring of his or her symptoms, nutrition, and growth. He or she will also need more testing. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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