Ittero e feci ipocoliche: allarme atresia delle vie biliari

By describing the case of a 2-month-old infant who presented with persistent jaundice, hypocholic stools and hyperchromic urine, we emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of cholestatic jaundice, to distinguish protracted jaundice from cholestatic jaundice, whose most frequent cause in the infant is biliary atresia. Cholestasis is defined by elevated direct bilirubin values greater than 1 mg/dl or greater than 20% of total bilirubin if the total bilirubin value >5 mg/dl, and implies altered intra- or extra-hepatic biliary flow. Diagnosis of biliary atresia includes ultrasonography, intraoperative cholangiography, and early intervention with Kasai technique to restore biliary flow. Family and physician awareness is crucial: improving education and implementing newborn screening could optimise clinical outcomes.