What is biliary atresia?
An infant with biliary atresia is born with malformed bile ducts. In biliary atresia, the ducts fail to form correctly during development in the womb. Normally, the bile ducts transport bile from the liver to the intestine, where it helps to digest food. In an infant with biliary atresia, the bile does not pass into the intestine, leading to jaundice.

What are the symptoms of biliary atresia?
Symptoms of biliary atresia include neonatal jaundice, failure to thrive, poor weight gain, and poor feeding in infants. Stools may be clay-colored.

How does the doctor treat biliary atresia?
Treatment for biliary atresia includes surgery that is performed within the first 2 months of life.