Biliary atresia

Biliary atresia - A rare disorder, present from birth, in which some or all of the bile ducts fail to develop or have developed abnormally. As a result, bile is unable to drain from the liver (see cholestasis). Unless the atresia can be treated, secondary biliary cirrhosis will develop and may prove fatal.

Symptoms include deepening jaundice, usually beginning a week after birth, and the passing of dark urine and pale faeces. Treatment is by surgery to bypass the ducts. If this fails, or if the jaundice recurs, a liver transplant is the only possible treatment.