Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in infancy [infantile cholestases]

The finding of high conjugated bilirubin needs prompt evaluation to rule out liver or bile duct pathology. If assessment of total and direct bilirubin is carried routinely in any infant whose jaundice persists for more than 2 weeks, early identification of a group of children who need corrective surgery for atresia of the extra hepatic bile duct is possible. The aim of this review is to look at common causes of infantile cholestasis with emphasis on evaluation, diagnosis, complications, treatment and outcome of infant with neonatal cholestasis

Congenital hepatic fibrosis as a cause of neonatal cholestasis

A 1-month-old Saudi female infant presented with neonatal cholestasis with normal transaminases. Both direct bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were high. A percutaneous liver biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of congenital hepatic fibrosis in this infant