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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 28, 2014; 20(4): 1048-1053
Published online Jan 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i4.1048
Published online Jan 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i4.1048
Biopsy-driven diagnosis in infants with cholestatic jaundice in Iran
Elham Talachian, Nahid Nick-khah, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Ali Asghar Children’s Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1919816766, Iran
Ali Bidari, Rasoul Akram General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1445613131, Iran
Mitra Mehrazma, Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614525, Iran
Author contributions: Talachian E performed the majority of the experiments, data analysis and interpretation; Bidari A contributed to performing the experiments, data analysis and writing and editing of the manuscript; Mehrazama M was involved in designing the proposal as well as reporting results of biopsy specimens and editing the manuscript; Nick-khah N was responsible for chart reviews, extracting and analyzing the data, and was involved in providing the primary draft of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Ali Bidari, MD, Rasoul Akram General Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Niyayesh St., Sattarkhan Ave., Tehran 1445613131, Iran. bidari.a@iums.ac.ir
Telephone: +98-912-3277847 Fax: +98-21-66525327
Received: August 13, 2013
Revised: November 7, 2013
Accepted: November 18, 2013
Published online: January 28, 2014
Processing time: 166 Days and 18.8 Hours
Revised: November 7, 2013
Accepted: November 18, 2013
Published online: January 28, 2014
Processing time: 166 Days and 18.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Infantile cholestasis is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by abnormal direct hyperbilirubinemia after the second week of life. While biliary atresia (BA), progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, and idiopathic neonatal hepatitis are among the most prevalent causes, BA specifically needs early surgical intervention to avoid cirrhosis. This makes liver biopsy a crucial procedure for timely surgical consideration. We found that there was a significant delay from the time that jaundice was noted to the time of liver biopsy in those eventually diagnosed with BA. These results demonstrate that an early diagnostic approach is prudent to avoid irreversible hepatic complications.