Abstract
Although the specific etiology of biliary atresia (BA) is unknown, evidence is accumulating that this disease is a dynamic process that begins before birth. The diagnosis and treatment of BA in a term infant was performed in the first 9 days of life with an excellent outcome. Analysis of λ-glutamyl transpeptidase enzyme levels in amniotic fluid provides further insight into the prenatal temporal onset of BA. These findings suggest that BA involves gradual biliary occlusion that may begin weeks before birth.
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Supported by The Claude E. Welch Research Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital
Correspondence to: N. Scott Adzick
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MacGillivray, T.E., Scott Adzick, N. Biliary atresia begins before birth. Pediatr Surg Int 9, 116–117 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176128
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176128