Biliary atresia
The UK NSC policy on Biliary atresia screening in newborns
More Information
Biliary atresia is unique to babies, affecting about 1 in 16,000 live births. In this condition, bile ducts outside the liver are progressively damaged by inflammation, and become blocked.
» Read more about biliary atresia on the Contact a Family website
Policy Position
Screening for biliary atresia should not be offered.
This policy was reviewed in Feb 2009 but no significant changes were made. It is due to be considered again in 2011/12, or earlier if significant new evidence emerges.
Evidence Supporting the Policy
Work carried out at the Institute of Child Health found that screening by way of the bloodspot sample using tandem mass spectometry alone yielded a high false positive rate. The report, published in the BMJ (see below), stated that the cost and emotional implications would be unacceptable.
Mushtaq I,Logan S, Morris M, Johnson AW, Wade AM, Kelly D, Clayton PT et al. Screening of newborn infants for cholestatic hepatobiliary disease with tandem mass spectrometry. British Medical Journal 1999; 319(7208):471-7.
Stakeholders
British Association for Study of the Liver
British Liver Nurses' Forum
The British Liver Trust
Children's Liver Disease Foundation
Royal College of Midwives
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
The stakeholder groups will be involved when the policy is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.
Related documents
Knowledge update on screening for biliary atresia in newborns (2012) (PDF document, 204KB, 13/03/12)Knowledge update on screening for biliary atresia in newborns (2012) APPENDIX - the treatment (PDF document, 259KB, 13/03/12)
