Biliary Atresia, Extrahepatic

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Biliary Atresia, Extrahepatic is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

EHBA

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Extrahepatic biliary atresia is a rare gastrointestinal disorder characterized by destruction or absence of all or a portion of the bile duct that lies outside the liver (extrahepatic bile duct). The bile duct is a tube that allows the passage of bile from the liver into the gall bladder and, eventually, the small intestine. Bile is a liquid secreted by the liver that plays an essential role in carrying waste products from the liver and breaking down fats in the small intestine. In extrahepatic biliary atresia, absence or destruction of the bile ducts results in the abnormal accumulation of bile in the liver. Affected infants may have yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) and scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). In some cases, additional abnormalities may be present, including heart defects and kidney and spleen malformations. The exact cause of extrahepatic biliary atresia is unknown.
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Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

Children's Liver Alliance
IN
Email: mail@liverkids.org.au
Internet: http://www.liverkids.org.au

American Liver Foundation
75 Maiden Lane
Suite 603
New York, NY 10038
USA
Tel: 2126681000
Fax: 2124838179
Tel: 8004654837
Email: info@liverfoundation.org
Internet: http://www.liverfoundation.org

NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Endocrine Diseases Metabolic Diseases Branch
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Tel: (301)654-3810
Fax: (301)496-7422
Email: NDDIC@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niddk.nih.gov

Children's Liver Disease Foundation
36 Great Charles Street Queensway
Birmingham, Intl B3 3JY
United Kingdom
Tel: 0121-212-3839
Fax: 0121-212-4300
Email: info@childliverdisease.org
Internet: http://www.childliverdisease.org

Children's Liver Association for Support Services
27033 McBean Parkway
Suite 126
Valencia, CA 91355
USA
Tel: 6612639099
Fax: 6612639099
Tel: 8776798256
Email: SupportSrv@aol.com
Internet: http://www.classkids.org

Canadian Liver Foundation
2235 Sheppard Avenue
Suite 1500
Toronto, Ontario, Intl M2J 5B5
Canada
Tel: (416) 491-3353
Fax: (416) 491-4952
Tel: (800) 563-5483
Email: clf@liver.ca
Internet: http://www.liver.ca

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 9/17/2007
Copyright 1986, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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