The liver is an organ with many functions. It helps detoxify the blood, control infection, regulate blood clotting and produce bile. When an infant's liver is not working properly, any of these functions can be compromised. There are several liver problems that occur in infants. Knowing these disorders and their symptoms can help you look out for warning signs in your infant.
Symptoms of Liver Disease
There are several signs that your baby might have liver disease. The liver usually participates in the breakdown of red blood cells and the processing of bilirubin, a product of red cell breakdown. When bilirubin builds up in the blood because of liver malfunction, infants start to look yellow. Other signs, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders, include dark urine and light "clay" colored stool.
Biliary Atresia
Biliary atresia is a relatively rare disorder in which the flow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder is blocked. This can happen when the bile duct, which carries bile away from the liver, is not properly formed or has been damaged. According to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, symptoms typically develop two to eight weeks after birth. Treatment requires corrective surgery in which an open bile duct is created.
Jaundice
Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and eyes seen in infants with liver disorders. However, a certain level of jaundice can also be seen in babies with healthy livers. According to KidsHealth, bilirubin can sometimes build up faster than it can be broken down by the newborn liver. This can happen because newborns have a high rate of red blood cell turnover or their livers are still developing. A medical professional will be able to tell you if jaundice is a sign of serious liver disease or not. He will also monitor your baby's bilirubin level to ensure it does not reach toxic levels.
Cholestasis
Cholestasis is a blockage of bile flow. It can occur when the liver is damaged or from brief illness. According to the Biliary Atresia Research Consortium, when these are the causes the problem will usually resolve on its own without treatment. However, it can also be caused by metabolic disorders, neonatal hepatitis or biliary atresia. In these situations treatment can range from dietary changes to transplant, depending on the severity of the disorder. Cholestasis is usually treated under the care of a pediatric hepatologist.
Ideopathic Hepatits
Idiopathic neonatal hepatitis is an irritation of the liver with no known cause. While it may initially resemble biliary atresia, there is no blockage of the bile ducts. According to the Biliary Atresia Research Consortium, 80 percent of infants with idiopathic neonatal hepatitis fully recover.
References
- Biliary Atresia Research Consortium: Diseases We Study
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Biliary Atresia
- KidsHealth: Jaundice in Healthy Newborns
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital: Biliary Atresia
- Biliary Atresia Research Consortium: Frequently Asked Questions about Biliary Atresia and Cholestasis
