What is biliary atresia?

What is biliary atresia?

Biliary atresia is a condition in newborn babies in which bile is blocked from moving from the liver to the small intestine.

Bile is a substance that is made and released by the liver. From the liver, it moves through a network of tube-like structures called bile ducts to the small intestine, where it helps the body break down and absorb food.

In children who have biliary atresia, the bile ducts are blocked because of damage and scarring. As a result, bile can’t flow to the small intestine. Instead, it builds up in the liver and damages it.