Skip to Main Content
Home Books Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics, 24e

Chapter 22: Liver & Pancreas

Ronald J Sokol; Michael R. Narkewicz; Shikha S Sundaram; Cara L. Mack

LIVER DISORDERS

NEONATAL CHOLESTATIC JAUNDICE

Key clinical features of disorders causing prolonged neonatal cholestasis are (1) jaundice with elevated serum conjugated (or direct) bilirubin fraction (> 12 mg/dL and > 20% of total bilirubin), (2) variably acholic stools, (3) dark urine, and (4) hepatomegaly.

Neonatal cholestasis (conditions with decreased bile flow) is caused by both intrahepatic and extrahepatic diseases. Specific clinical clues (Table 22–1) distinguish these two major categories of jaundice in 85% of cases. Patients with intrahepatic cholestasis frequently appear ill and are failing to thrive, whereas infants with extrahepatic cholestasis typically do not, have stools that are usually completely acholic, and have an enlarged, firm liver. Histologic examination of percutaneous liver biopsy specimens increases the accuracy of differentiation to 85%–95% (Table 22–2).

Table 22–1.Characteristic clinical features of intrahepatic and extrahepatic neonatal cholestasis.
View Table|Favorite Table|Download (.pdf)
Table 22–1.Characteristic clinical features of intrahepatic and extrahepatic neonatal cholestasis.
Intrahepatic Extrahepatic
Preterm infant, small for gestational age, appears ill Full-term infant, seems well
Hepatosplenomegaly, other organ or system involvement Hepatomegaly (firm to hard)
Stools with some pigment Acholic stools
Associated cause identified (infections, metabolic, familial, etc) Polysplenia or asplenia syndromes, midline liver
Table 22–2.Characteristic histologic features of intrahepatic and extrahepatic neonatal cholestasis.
View Table|Favorite Table|Download (.pdf)
Table 22–2.Characteristic histologic features of intrahepatic and extrahepatic neonatal cholestasis.
Intrahepatic Extrahepatic
Giant cells +++ +
Lobules Disarray Normal
Portal reaction Inflammation, minimal fibrosis Fibrosis, lymphocytic infiltrate
Neoductular proliferation Rare Marked
Other Steatosis, extramedullary hematopoiesis, iron deposition Portal bile duct plugging, bile lakes

INTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS

ESSENTIALS OF DIAGNOSIS & TYPICAL FEATURES

  • Elevated total and conjugated bilirubin.

  • Hepatomegaly and dark urine.

  • Patency of extrahepatic biliary tree.

General Considerations

Intrahepatic cholestasis is characterized by impaired hepatocyte secretion of bile and patency of the extrahepatic biliary system. A specific cause can be identified in about 60%–80% of cases. Patency of the extrahepatic biliary tract is suggested by pigmented stools and lack of bile duct proliferation and portal tract bile plugs on liver biopsy. Bile duct patency can be confirmed least invasively by hepatobiliary scintigraphy using technetium-99m (99mTc)-dimethyliminodiacetic acid (diethyl-IDA [DIDA]). Radioactivity in the bowel within 4–24 hours is evidence of bile duct patency, as is finding bilirubin in duodenal aspirates. However, these tests are rarely needed in the clinical setting. Patency can also be determined, when clinically indicated, by cholangiography carried out either intraoperatively, percutaneously by transhepatic cholecystography, or by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using a pediatric-size side-viewing endoscope. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in infants is of limited use and highly dependent on the operator and equipment.

1. Perinatal or Neonatal Hepatitis Resulting From Infection

This diagnosis is considered in infants with jaundice, hepatomegaly, vomiting, lethargy, ...

Pop-up div Successfully Displayed

This div only appears when the trigger link is hovered over. Otherwise it is hidden from view.

This site uses cookies to provide, maintain and improve your experience. MHE Privacy Center Close