Neonatal liver disease

Helen M Evans; Susan M Siew

doi:10.1111/jpc.15064

Neonatal liver disease

J Paediatr Child Health. 2020 Nov;56(11):1760-1768. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15064.

Authors

Helen M Evans^{1

2}, Susan M Siew³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Starship Child Health, Auckland, New Zealand.
² Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
³ Department of Gastroenterology and James Fairfax Institute of Paediatric Nutrition, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

PMID: 33197975
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15064

Abstract

Neonatal liver disease encompasses many diagnoses, including structural and genetic aetiologies. Many have significant health implications requiring long-term specialist treatment including liver transplantation. Jaundice is a common presenting feature. The ability of health-care professionals to differentiate neonatal liver disease from benign diagnoses such as physiological jaundice is very important. Persistent (more than 2 weeks) of conjugated jaundice always warrants investigation. Severe unconjugated jaundice (requiring prolonged phototherapy) should also be promptly investigated. Recent advances in genomics have enabled previously elusive, precise diagnoses in some patients with neonatal liver disease. This review paper discusses the commoner causes, with a focus on early detection and need for referral to paediatric liver services.

Keywords: neonatal cholestasis; neonatal liver disease; prolonged jaundice.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Cholestasis*
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Jaundice*
Jaundice, Neonatal* / diagnosis
Jaundice, Neonatal* / etiology
Jaundice, Neonatal* / therapy
Liver Diseases* / diagnosis
Liver Diseases* / etiology
Liver Diseases* / therapy