Morphological characteristics of neonatal obstructive jaundice

In cases of neonatal obstructive jaundice, liver biopsy material has been studied electronmicroscopically. In bile duct atresia, morphologic changes are extensive and they develop early. The severity of destruction is related to the quantity of accumulated bile deposits. Hypoxia due to the disturbance of microcirculation plays an important part in the damage. In cases of inspissated bile syndrome, the changes are less severe and they prove reversible.