Varied Characteristics of Recovered Patients with Biliary Atresia

Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive cholangiopathy of infancy that leads to cholestasis, bile duct fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis if untreated. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of infants with BA and identify prognostic factors influencing treatment outcomes.

A retrospective observational design was used, analyzing medical records of 152 infants diagnosed with BA over a three-year period. Data included clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, diagnostic procedures, and treatment outcomes. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess factors affecting recovery and survival.

The results indicated a mean patient age of 13.9 weeks, with jaundice onset at 3.3 weeks and an average duration of 10.7 weeks. The overall survival rate was 81.6%, while 48% experienced treatment failure. Recovery rates were significantly associated with younger age at diagnosis (p=0.000), shorter jaundice duration (p=0.002), and absence of portal hypertension (p<0.001).

These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in improving BA outcomes. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment strategies to enhance long-term survival.