[Neonatal cholestasis]

Neonatal cholestasis syndrome includes a wide spectrum of clinical conditions ranging from congenital malformations of the hepatobiliary tree, infections, and inborn errors of metabolism to some clinical conditions with or without genetic predilection. The aim of this study is the survey of epidemiological and clinical findings of cholestasis in our center for a better approach and management of cholestatic newborns.We undertook a retrospective analysis of the medical notes of all infants treated for cholestosis at our center between 1999-2004.Male to female ratio of 61 analyzed cases of neonatal cholestasis syndrome was 2/1. Intrahepatic causes were responsible for 73.3% of cholestasis cases consisting of neonatal hepatitis 2, inspissated bile syndrome 1, and histiocytosis 1 cases. Extrahepatic cholestasis was diagnosed in 20/3% of cases as choledocal cyst in 2, and billiary atresia in 14 cases.Intrahepatic cholestasis is commonest form of neonatal cholestasis in our center. Early diagnosis and management of neonatal cholestasis is of great importance for good results of treatment. This can be achieved by instructing the parents and health personnel to refer the suspected newborns to neonatology center as soon as possible