Problems during and after pregnancy of former biliary atresia patients treated successfully by the Kasai procedure

The aim of this study was to investigate the problems and the quality of life during and after pregnancy of the patients who had undergone Kasai operation and to find out a strategy for follow-up during the period of their pregnancy.

A questionnaire was sent to 134 institutions of the Japanese Biliary Atresia Society with the following questions: (1) Do you have any pregnancy cases in patients who had undergone Kasai operation? (2) Did she have any menstrual problem? (3) Did she have any problem during pregnancy and delivery? (4) Did she have any change in liver function tests after delivery? (5) Did she have any early and long-term problem after delivery? (6) Did the baby have any problem? (7) Was there any special care or comment about the pregnancy of the biliary atresia patients? The responses were analyzed.

Fourteen institutions reported 16 cases of pregnancy, 23 cases of delivery, and 2 cases of abortion. The causes of abortion in the 2 cases were attributed to hemorrhagic shock after massive bleeding from esophageal varices and serious atopic dermatitis, respectively. Other problems during pregnancy were abruption of placenta, fetal distress leading to caesarian section, and development of liver dysfunction leading liver transplantation. Problems after delivery included deterioration of liver function in 6 patients (37.5%), attacks of ascending cholangitis in 4 patients (25.0%), and severe fatigue with liver dysfunction from nursing the baby leading to liver transplantation. Only 3 of 16 (18.8%) patients were free of any problems. No abnormality was seen in the babies.

Even if the patients with biliary atresia lead a good postoperative course, unexpected complications can occur when they become pregnant. Close long-term follow-up is required for proper management of pregnancy in biliary atresia patients.