Cholestasis in newborn and infancy period

Abstract

During the newborn and infancy period, it is an important to demonstrate the condition which causes cholestatic liver diseases. If direct bilirubin level is more than 20% of total bilirubin, it is defined as cholestasis. Especially early diagnosis of diseases including biliary atresia, tyrosinaemia, galactosaemia is crucial for prevention of permanent damage in the future and for benefit from early treatment. Therefore, total, direct and indirect bilirubin levels should be measured in all newborns with jaundice lasting more than two weeks. If 20% of total bilirubin is direct bilirubin, liver-related disorders should be questioned. In this review, we aimed to show which clinical and laboratory features should be considered to demonstrate the cause of cholestatic diseases. (Turk Arch Ped 2012; 47: 1-7)