الفهرس 
Bilirubin metabolism and urobilinogenOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The diagnosis of BA, particularly distinguishing it from other causes of cholestasis in the neonatal period, is challenging as there is a high degree of overlap in clinical, biochemical, imaging, and histological characteristics. It is of paramount importance to differentiate BA from other causes of NC early as the success of Kasai portoenterostomy is directly related to the age of the infant. However, making a definite diagnosis before subjecting a child to laparotomy and preoperative cholangiogram is not an easy task, as no single test is 100% accurate. This study included 25 infants with BA and another 25 infants with NC other than BA attending the Pediatric Hepatology Department, National Liver Institute, Menofiya University. Cases were recruited from January 2013 to December 2013. Another 25 apparently healthy infants, age and sex matched with the disease groups were enrolled as a control group for urinary urobilinogen. All patients underwent full history taking, thorough clinical examination, and the following investigations:
1. Liver function tests.
2. Prothrombin time.
3. Complete blood picture.
4. Abdominal ultrasound.
5. Duodenal tube aspiration (for some patients only).
6. Liver biopsy whenever possible (for some patients only).
7. Dipstick test for urinary urobilinogen
8. Quantitative measurement of urinary urobilinogen by modified Ehrlich’s method.