[Cholestasis associated with sepsis in newborns]

Abstract

Cholestatic jaundice is a well-known complication of gram-negative bacterial infections in the neonates. Newborn and premature infants are particularly vulnerable to cholestasis because of immaturities in bile forming mechanisms. The Authors describe two premature infants who developed cholestasis in the course of a proved bacterial infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae. The main clinical aspects of this association are illustrated and the recent concepts of pathogenetic mechanism of intrahepatic cholestasis is discussed.