Optimizing Care and Outcome of Neonatal Cholestasis: Are We on the Right Track?

Excerpt

Neonatal cholestasis (NC) occurs in ~1 in 2500 live births and accounts for 19–33% of all children with hepatobiliary disorders in India [1]. The complexity of NC is highlighted by its diverse etiology, need of specialized tests for evaluation and early diagnosis within first 4–6 wk of life which permits appropriate medical and surgical therapy and helps in avoiding complications like malnutrition and coagulopathy. Although NC constitutes only 0.2 to 0.4% of all infants with jaundice beyond 14 d of life, but it is always pathological. Improvement in neonatal care with better survival of premature and small for gestational age (SGA) babies has added a group of “high risk” patients at an increased risk of NC due to multiple factors. …