Biliary atresia

Abstract

BA is a rare disease of unclear etiology; nevertheless, its impact in the field of pediatric hepatology is significant. It is the most common surgically correctable cause of neonatal cholestasis and is the most common pediatric disease referred for liver transplantation. Little progress has been made with regard to improving outcome or understanding its pathogenesis in the past decade. Fortunately, however, a national, government-sponsored collaborative endeavor has begun that will hopefully make a significant impact upon the progress of designing new treatments for BA and develop a better understanding of its pathogenesis.