Biliary atresia: the Croatian experience 1992-2006

Biliary atresia-splenic malformation (BASM) syndrome: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Biliary atresia (BA) is characterized by the presence of persistent cholestatic jaundice during the neonatal period. This group of patients is at higher risk for liver disease and/or portal hypertension compared with other chronic liver diseases.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a newborn patient who had biliary stools early postnatally, but her gallbladder was not seen on radiological examination and was referred to our clinic. On examination, polysplenia was seen, and the inferior vena cava was not seen. The patient's stool color changed to a creamy stool without bile three weeks postnatally. The neonate was diagnosed with biliary atresia and splenic malformation (BASM) syndrome. The patient underwent a Kasai portoenterostomy in the 3rd week of age and was preoperatively diagnosed with malrotation and treated with a Ladd procedure at the same time. The patient had a postoperative stool with bile and decreased bilirubinemia with a normal defecation period.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

BASM syndrome, clinically has different causes and a worse prognosis than isolated BA. The syndrome can lead to end-stage cirrhosis and liver failure if left untreated. Although timely Kasai surgery is the standard treatment for BA, the age of the patient at the time of the surgery is different depending on BA groups.

CONCLUSION

The most important prognostic factors for BASM syndrome are early diagnosis and treatment. Despite this, the patients need careful follow-up. Postoperative adjuvant steroid therapy may have a good impact on the outcomes.

Difficulty in the Diagnosis of Biliary Atresia Splenic Malformation Syndrome In Utero

The fetus of a 30-year-old pregnant Japanese woman was diagnosed with absence of inferior vena cava (IVC) and azygos continuation of interrupted IVC without cardiac anomalies at 34 weeks of gestation, and a healthy male neonate weighing 2,910 g was delivered at 37 weeks of gestation. On day 42 after birth, direct bilirubin predominant hyperbilirubinemia and high serum gamma-GTP levels were detected. Computed tomography revealed the presence of a lobulated and accessory spleen, and laparotomy demonstrated type III biliary atresia (BA), confirming the final diagnosis of BA splenic malformation (BASM) syndrome. In retrospect, non-visualization of the gallbladder was missed in utero. The combination of the absence of IVC and BA without cardiac anomalies is far less likely to occur in left isomerism. Although BA remains difficult to detect in utero, special attention should be paid to cases of BA associated with findings of left isomerism, including the absence of IVC, to enable early diagnosis and treatment of BASM.

Congenital aflatoxicosis, mal-detoxification genomics & ontogeny trigger immune-mediated Kotb disease biliary atresia variant: SANRA compliant review

Biliary atresia (BA) is the most common indication for pediatric liver transplantation. We describe The BA variant: Kotb disease. Liver tissue in the Kotb disease BA is massively damaged by congenital aflatoxicosis resulting in inflammation, adhesions, fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, scarring, cholestasis, focal syncytial giant cell transformation, and typical immune response involving infiltration by CD4+, CD8+, CD68+, CD14+, neutrophil infiltration, neutrophil elastase spill, heavy loads of aflatoxin B1, accelerated cirrhosis, disruption of p53 and GSTPi, and have null glutathione S transferase M1 (GSTM1). All their mothers are heterozygous for GSTM1. This inability to detoxify aflatoxicosis results in progressive inflammatory adhesions and obliterative cholangiopathy early in life. The typical disruption of both p53 and GSTPi causes loss of fidelity of hepatic regeneration. Hence, regeneration in Kotb disease BA typically promotes accelerated cirrhosis. The immune response in Kotb disease BA is for damage control and initiation of regeneration, yet, this friendly fire incurs massive structural collateral damage. The Kotb disease BA is about actual ongoing hepatic entrapment of aflatoxins with lack of ability of safe disposal due to child detoxification-genomics disarray. The Kotb disease BA is a product of the interaction of persistent congenital aflatoxicosis, genetic lack of GSTM1 detoxification, ontogenically impaired activity of other hepatic detoxification, massive neutrophil-elastase, immune-induced damage, and disturbed regeneration. Ante-natal and neonatal screening for aflatoxicosis, avoiding cord milking, and stringent control of aflatoxicosis content of human, poultry and live-stock feeds might prove effective for prevention, prompt diagnosis and management based on our recent understanding of its patho-genomics.

Long-term survival of children born with congenital anomalies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies

BACKGROUND

Following a reduction in global child mortality due to communicable diseases, the relative contribution of congenital anomalies to child mortality is increasing. Although infant survival of children born with congenital anomalies has improved for many anomaly types in recent decades, there is less evidence on survival beyond infancy. We aimed to systematically review, summarise, and quantify the existing population-based data on long-term survival of individuals born with specific major congenital anomalies and examine the factors associated with survival.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Seven electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ProQuest Natural, and Biological Science Collections), reference lists, and citations of the included articles for studies published 1 January 1995 to 30 April 2020 were searched. Screening for eligibility, data extraction, and quality appraisal were performed in duplicate. We included original population-based studies that reported long-term survival (beyond 1 year of life) of children born with a major congenital anomaly with the follow-up starting from birth that were published in the English language as peer-reviewed papers. Studies on congenital heart defects (CHDs) were excluded because of a recent systematic review of population-based studies of CHD survival. Meta-analysis was performed to pool survival estimates, accounting for trends over time. Of 10,888 identified articles, 55 (n = 367,801 live births) met the inclusion criteria and were summarised narratively, 41 studies (n = 54,676) investigating eight congenital anomaly types (spina bifida [n = 7,422], encephalocele [n = 1,562], oesophageal atresia [n = 6,303], biliary atresia [n = 3,877], diaphragmatic hernia [n = 6,176], gastroschisis [n = 4,845], Down syndrome by presence of CHD [n = 22,317], and trisomy 18 [n = 2,174]) were included in the meta-analysis. These studies covered birth years from 1970 to 2015. Survival for children with spina bifida, oesophageal atresia, biliary atresia, diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, and Down syndrome with an associated CHD has significantly improved over time, with the pooled odds ratios (ORs) of surviving per 10-year increase in birth year being OR = 1.34 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.24-1.46), OR = 1.50 (95% CI 1.38-1.62), OR = 1.62 (95% CI 1.28-2.05), OR = 1.57 (95% CI 1.37-1.81), OR = 1.24 (95% CI 1.02-1.5), and OR = 1.99 (95% CI 1.67-2.37), respectively (p < 0.001 for all, except for gastroschisis [p = 0.029]). There was no observed improvement for children with encephalocele (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.01, p = 0.19) and children with biliary atresia surviving with native liver (OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.88-1.03, p = 0.26). The presence of additional structural anomalies, low birth weight, and earlier year of birth were the most commonly reported predictors of reduced survival for any congenital anomaly type. The main limitation of the meta-analysis was the small number of studies and the small size of the cohorts, which limited the predictive capabilities of the models resulting in wide confidence intervals.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis summarises estimates of long-term survival associated with major congenital anomalies. We report a significant improvement in survival of children with specific congenital anomalies over the last few decades and predict survival estimates up to 20 years of age for those born in 2020. This information is important for the planning and delivery of specialised medical, social, and education services and for counselling affected families. This trial was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42017074675).

Revisiting long-term prognostic factors of biliary atresia: A 20-year experience with 81 patients from a single center

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The present study aimed at investigating the long-term outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with biliary atresia (BA) diagnosed and followed at a single center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with BA treated during 1994-2014 at a large-volume pediatric tertiary referral center were reviewed retrospectively with regard to demographic, clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic characteristics for identifying the prognostic factors and long-term clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Overall, 81 patients (49 males, 32 females) were included. Mean age at diagnosis was 73.1±4.7 (median: 64) days. Of the patients included, 78 patients (96%) underwent a portoenterostomy procedure. Mean age at operation was 76.8±4.7 (median: 72) days. The surgical success rate was 64.8%. A younger age (either at diagnosis or surgery) was the only determinant of surgical success. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival (OS) rates, including all patients with or without liver transplantation, were 75%, 73%, and 71% respectively, whereas the 2-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates with native liver (SNL) were 69%, 61%, and 57%, respectively. Mean follow-up duration was 9.4±7.5 years. Successful surgery, presence of fibrosis and/or cirrhosis on the liver pathology, and prothrombin time [international normalized ratio (INR)] at presentation were independent prognostic factors for both OS and SNL.

CONCLUSION

A younger age at diagnosis is strongly associated with surgical success in BA. Surgical success, the prothrombin time (INR) at presentation, and liver pathology are independent prognostic factors affecting the long-term outcomes in patients with BA. Therefore, timely diagnosis and early referral to experienced surgical centers are crucial for optimal management and favorable long-term results in BA.

Epidemiology of Biliary Atresia in Korea

Biliary atresia (BA) is the major cause of cholestasis and the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT). However, the incidence of BA in Korea has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical outcomes of BA in Korea. We used the Korean universal health insurance database and extracted data regarding BA patients younger than 18 years of age admitted between 2011 and 2015. The incidence of BA was calculated by dividing the number of BA patients by the number of live births. Two hundred forty infants were newly diagnosed with BA. A total of 963 BA patients younger than 18 years of age were followed up for 5 years. The overall incidence of BA was 1.06 cases per 10,000 live births. The incidence of BA was 1.4 times higher for female patients than for male patients. Additionally, significant seasonal variation was observed; in particular, the incidence of BA was 2 times higher from June through August than from December through February. Congenital anomalies were found in 38 of 240 patients (15.8%). Congenital heart diseases were major associated congenital anomalies (6.3%). Several complications developed during the study period, including cholangitis (24.0%), varix (6.2%), and gastrointestinal bleeding (4.4%). Three hundred and one of the 963 BA patients under 18 years of age (31.3%) received LT for BA. The incidence of BA is higher in Korea than that in Western countries. We also report significant gender-associated differences and seasonal variation with respect to the incidence of BA.

Guideline for the Evaluation of Cholestatic Jaundice in Infants: Joint Recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Cholestatic jaundice in infancy affects approximately 1 in every 2500 term infants and is infrequently recognized by primary providers in the setting of physiologic jaundice. Cholestatic jaundice is always pathologic and indicates hepatobiliary dysfunction. Early detection by the primary care physician and timely referrals to the pediatric gastroenterologist/hepatologist are important contributors to optimal treatment and prognosis. The most common causes of cholestatic jaundice in the first months of life are biliary atresia (25%-40%) followed by an expanding list of monogenic disorders (25%), along with many unknown or multifactorial (eg, parenteral nutrition-related) causes, each of which may have time-sensitive and distinct treatment plans. Thus, these guidelines can have an essential role for the evaluation of neonatal cholestasis to optimize care. The recommendations from this clinical practice guideline are based upon review and analysis of published literature and the combined experience of the authors. The committee recommends that any infant noted to be jaundiced after 2 weeks of age be evaluated for cholestasis with measurement of total and direct serum bilirubin, and that an elevated serum direct bilirubin level (direct bilirubin levels >1.0 mg/dL or >17 μmol/L) warrants timely consideration for evaluation and referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist or hepatologist. Of note, current differential diagnostic plans now incorporate consideration of modern broad-based next-generation DNA sequencing technologies in the proper clinical context. These recommendations are a general guideline and are not intended as a substitute for clinical judgment or as a protocol for the care of all infants with cholestasis. Broad implementation of these recommendations is expected to reduce the time to the diagnosis of pediatric liver diseases, including biliary atresia, leading to improved outcomes.

Associations of mitochondrial haplogroups b4 and e with biliary atresia and differential susceptibility to hydrophobic bile Acid

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of biliary atresia (BA). This study aimed to determine whether a specific mitochondrial DNA haplogroup is implicated in the pathogenesis and prognosis of BA. We determined 40 mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms in 15 major mitochondrial haplogroups by the use of 24-plex PCR and fluorescent beads combined with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes in 71 patients with BA and in 200 controls in the Taiwanese population of ethnic Chinese background. The haplogroup B4 and E prevalence were significantly lower and higher respectively, in the patients with BA than in the controls (odds ratios, 0.82 [p = 0.007] and 7.36 [p = 0.032] respectively) in multivariate logistic-regression analysis. The 3-year survival rate with native liver was significantly lower in haplogroup E than the other haplogroups (P = 0.037). A cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) was obtained from human 143B osteosarcoma cells devoid of mtDNA (ρ⁰ cell) and was fused with specific mtDNA bearing E and B4 haplogroups donated by healthy Taiwanese subjects. Chenodeoxycholic acid treatment resulted in significantly lower free radical production, higher mitochondrial membrane potential, more viable cells, and fewer apoptotic cybrid B4 cells than parental 143B and cybrid E cells. Bile acid treatment resulted in a significantly greater protective mitochondrial reaction with significantly higher mitochondrial DNA copy number and mitofusin 1 and 2 concentrations in cybrid B4 and parental cells than in cybrid E cells. The results of the study suggested that the specific mitochondrial DNA haplogroups B4 and E were not only associated with lower and higher prevalence of BA respectively, in the study population, but also with differential susceptibility to hydrophobic bile acid in the cybrid harboring different haplogroups.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of biliary atresia (BA). We determined 40 mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms in different mitochondrial haplogroups in BA patients and controls. The prevalence of haplogroup B4 and E was significantly lower and higher respectively, in the patients with BA than in the controls. The survival rate with native liver was significantly lower in haplogroup E than the other haplogroups. The in vitro study using cybrid cells revealed significantly lower free radical production, higher mitochondrial membrane potential, higher mitochondrial DNA copy number and fewer apoptotic in cybrid B4 cells than cybrid E cells. The study provides a novel insight into the etiopathogenesis and the predictive value of mitochondrial haplogroups in BA.

International incidence and outcomes of biliary atresia

OBJECTIVES

International trends in incidence and outcomes of biliary atresia (BA) are controversial and a wide range of estimates have been reported worldwide. We reviewed the population-based literature to assess international variation of BA incidence and outcomes, and to assess the evidence for seasonal variation in incidence, centralization of Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy, and newborn screening.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review (registration number CRD42011001441) of observational or interventional research within MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database, which reported incidence, prevalence, or outcomes of infants with BA. Population-based studies, defined by inclusion of an entire population or representative sample, were included. Outcomes included overall survival, native liver survival (NLS), and time to Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy. Single- or multicenter studies were excluded unless those centers captured all potential patients within a jurisdiction. Two independent data extractors reviewed the abstracts and articles.

RESULTS

A total of 40 studies were included following review of 3128 references. A wide range of incidence was reported internationally. Ten-year overall survival ranged from 66.7% to 89%. NLS ranged from 20.3% to 75.8% at 1 to 3 years and 24% to 52.8% at 10 years. Earlier age at Kasai was a predictor of improved NLS. Seasonality was reported in 11 studies, and 3 reported an increased incidence during the months of August to March. The evidence for centralization of Kasai to high-volume centers is promising but does not account for all case-mix, provider, or health system factors involved in volume-outcome relations. Stool color card screening resulted in earlier Kasai and improved NLS in Taiwan.

CONCLUSIONS

Large, international studies could help fill the gaps in knowledge identified by this review.

The pre-Kasai procedure in living donor liver transplantation for children with biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

Biliary atresia (BA) is a major cause of chronic cholestasis, a fatal disorder in infants. This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of primary living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in comparison with the traditional first-line treatment, the Kasai procedure.

METHODS

We assessed 28 children with BA at age of less than two years (3-21.3 months) who had undergone LDLT in two hospitals in Southwest China during the period of 2008-2011. Eighteen children who had had primary LDLT were included in a primary LDLT group, and ten children who had undergone the Kasai operation in a pre-Kasai group. All patients were followed up after discharge from the hospital. The records of the BA patients and donors were reviewed.

RESULTS

The time of follow-up ranged 12-44.5 months with a median of 31 months. The 30-day and 1-year survival rates were 85.7% and 78.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the 30-day or 1-year survival between the two groups (83.3% vs 90% and 77.8% vs 80%, P>0.05). The main cause of death was hepatic artery thrombosis. There were more patients with complications who required intensive medical care or re-operation in the pre-Kasai group (8, 80%) than in the primary LDLT group (9, 50%) (P=0.226). But no significant differences were observed in operating time (9.3 vs 8.9 hours, P=0.77), intraoperative blood loss (208.6 vs 197.0 mL, P=0.84) and blood transfusion (105.6 vs 100.0 mL, P=0.91) between the two groups. The durations of ICU and hospital stay in the primary LDLT group and pre-Kasai group were 180.4 vs 157.7 hours (P=0.18) and 27 vs 29 days (P=0.29), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary LDLT is a safe and efficient management for young pediatric patients with BA. Compared with the outcome of LDLT for patients receiving a previous Kasai operation, a similar survival rate and a low rate of re-operation and intensive medical care for patients with BA can be obtained.

Ductal plate malformation in patients with biliary atresia

The presence of ductal plate malformation (DPM+) on liver histology in children with biliary atresia (BA) is a marker of early intrauterine disease onset and an indication of an unfavorable prognosis. We studied the prognostic value of DPM in infants with BA after hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE). We reviewed 28 BA patients who underwent HPE in a single medical center. We examined the time of jaundice onset after delivery (conjugated hyperbilirubinemia): early onset (fetal phenotype with no jaundice-free interval) vs. late onset (perinatal phenotype with jaundice-free interval) and the presence or absence of DPM (DPM+ or DPM-) histopathology. Primary outcome was jaundice clearance at 3 months after HPE and survival with native liver (SNL). Eight children had fetal and 20 had perinatal BA (8 DPM+, 12 DPM-). At 3 months after HPE, no patients with fetal BA had achieved jaundice clearance, while jaundice clearance was achieved in five patients with DPM+ perinatal disease and four patients with DPM- perinatal BA (P = 0.03, comparing all three groups; P = 0.36, comparing DPM+ vs. DPM- perinatal patients). Median SNL was 8.6 months for fetal BA patients, 148.2 months for DPM+ perinatal BA patients, and 93.2 months for DPM- perinatal BA patients (log-rank test, P < 0.001, comparing all three groups; P = 0.59, comparing DPM+ vs. DPM- perinatal patients). After adjusting for BA type, age older than 2 months at HPE was associated with worse SNL [P = 0.03; hazard ratio = 4.0 (95 % CI, 1.1-14.2)].

CONCLUSIONS

Early onset of jaundice, regardless of DPM histology, was the most ominous sign of poor outcome in infants with BA after HPE.

Decreasing rate of biliary atresia in Taiwan: a survey, 2004-2009

OBJECTIVES

The pathogenesis of biliary atresia (BA) is unclear, but epidemiological studies may help to elucidate possible causes. The goals of this study were to identify BA incidence changes in Taiwan in 2004-2009 and to survey the factors that might influence incidence changes to elucidate the possible causes of BA.

METHODS

A Taiwan national registry system for BA has been established since 2004. By using data from the national registry system for BA, we identified BA incidence changes in 2004-2009. We also evaluated the correlations between BA incidences and estimated rotavirus vaccine coverage rates and between BA incidences and the gross domestic product.

RESULTS

A total of 185 patients with BA were identified in 2004-2009 in Taiwan, whereas the number of live births was 1 221 189. Compared with the incidence of BA in 2004-2006 (1.79 cases per 10,000 live births), the incidence of BA in 2007-2009 (1.23 cases per 10,000 live births) was decreased significantly (P = .01). BA incidences were negatively correlated with the gross domestic product (P = .02) and marginally negatively correlated with rotavirus vaccine coverage rates (P = .07).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant decrease in BA incidence in Taiwan since 2007 has been noted and may be related to improvements in the general socioeconomic status and the popularity of rotavirus vaccination. Although more evidence is needed to establish a direct correlation, this phenomenon may shed light on possible causes of and preventive interventions for BA.