Biliary Excretion Noted on Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid Scan Does Not Exclude Diagnosis of Biliary Atresia

Neonatal Cholestasis: Updates on Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Prevention

Cholestatic jaundice is a common presenting feature of hepatobiliary and/or metabolic dysfunction in the newborn and young infant. Timely detection of cholestasis, followed by rapid step-wise evaluation to determine the etiology, is crucial to identify those causes that are amenable to medical or surgical intervention and to optimize outcomes for all infants. In the past 2 decades, genetic etiologies have been elucidated for many cholestatic diseases, and next-generation sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing now allow for relatively rapid and cost-effective diagnosis of conditions not previously identifiable via standard blood tests and/or liver biopsy. Advances have also been made in our understanding of risk factors for parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis/liver disease. New lipid emulsion formulations, coupled with preventive measures to decrease central line-associated bloodstream infections, have resulted in lower rates of cholestasis and liver disease in infants and children receiving long-term parental nutrition. Unfortunately, little progress has been made in determining the exact cause of biliary atresia. The median age at the time of the hepatoportoenterostomy procedure is still greater than 60 days; consequently, biliary atresia remains the primary indication for pediatric liver transplantation. Several emerging therapies may reduce the bile acid load to the liver and improve outcomes in some neonatal cholestatic disorders. The goal of this article is to review the etiologies, diagnostic algorithms, and current and future management strategies for infants with cholestasis.

Biliary Atresia/Neonatal Cholestasis: What is in the Horizon?

"Biliary atresia (BA) is a common cause of jaundice in infancy. There is increasing evidence that newborn screening with direct or conjugated bilirubin leads to earlier diagnosis. Although the Kasai portoenterostomy is the primary treatment, there are scientific advances in adjuvant therapies. As pediatric patients transition to adult care, multidisciplinary care is essential, given the complexity of this patient population."

Role of hepatobiliary scintigraphy with different semi-quantitative parameters along with histopathological scoring in differentiating biliary atresia from neonatal hepatitis

Background

Biliary atresia (BA) and neonatal hepatitis (NH) are the two major causes of neonatal cholestasis (NC). However, both conditions had entirely different therapeutic schedule and prognosis. Considering BA as a surgical emergency, it is pretty important to accurately differentiate the two entities. The aim of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic utility of hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) using a semi-quantitative technique as well as 15-point histopathological scoring system in differentiating BA from NH.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of HBS in the diagnosis of BA was 90.5%, 80%, and 83.6%, respectively. The median values of kidney-liver ratio (KLR), intestinal-liver ratio (ILR), and background-liver ratio (BLR) were significantly higher in patients with BA, while that of the liver-kidney ratio (LKR) was significantly lower in cases with BA. Moreover, KLR had the largest area under curve (AUC); advocates it to be the best of the semi-quantitative parameters that can predicts BA. Histopathological scoring using a cutoff point ≥ 7 was helpful in discriminating BA from NH with 85.7% sensitivity, 95% specificity and 91.8% accuracy.

Conclusions

HBS is a non-invasive diagnostic tool frequently used in diagnosis of BA, yet it has a relatively low specificity. To overcome this challenge, we kindly recommend the use of semi-quantitative parameters that could possibly improve the accuracy of HBS for diagnosing BA. Additionally, the use of 15-point scoring for liver biopsy was useful.

Variability in age at Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia across US children's hospitals

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess variability in age at Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) in infants with biliary atresia (BA) across children's hospitals in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN

A multi-institutional retrospective study was performed examining infants with BA undergoing KP within 6 months of birth from 2016-2019, utilizing the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS). Multivariable negative binomial mixed effects regression was performed for age at KP, and inter-hospital variability was examined.

RESULTS

Across 46 hospitals, 470 infants with BA underwent KP at a median age of 57 days (IQR 42-72), with 212 (45.1%) undergoing KP at ≥60 days of age. There was significant inter-hospital variability in age at KP ranging from 38 days (95% CI: 31d, 47d) to 76 days (95% CI: 63d, 91d) (p<0.0001). Factors associated with later KP were black or African-American race, urgent/emergent admission, and treatment at a hospital in the Pacific-West region. Predictors of earlier KP included later year, history of neonatal comorbidity, and admission to an intensive care service (all p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is significant variability in the age at KP in infants with BA across children's hospitals in the United States.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.