Biliary Atresia
Biliary Atresia – Liver Transplantation
Biliary Atresia is a destructive disorder of the bile ducts within and outside the liver which affects 1 in 18000 live births. Infants present with jaundice and pale stools. Early surgery to reestablish bile drainage is vital in these patients in order to preserve liver function and reduce the need for liver transplantation. It has been shown that if the surgery and treatment of this disorder is centralized in specialist institutions the outcome is very good. Studies from France have documented a 25% reduction in need for liver transplantation if the operation is performed by surgeons who perform this frequently. However, at least 50% of children with Biliary Atresia will require liver transplantation at a later stage. Over 95% of children with Biliary Atresia can be cured with sequential management involving a Kasai operation and Liver transplantation.
Goals of NFLR to get rid of Unaffordable disease
The goals of this foundation include promoting and pioneering research in the field of hepatobiliary disease, publicizing the need for organ donation and offering financial assistance to patients from the lower socioeconomic group who need treatment for hepatobiliary disease and cannot afford it. The foundation proposes to fund the cost of consumables and drugs which are needed in the course of the Kasai operation for Biliary Atresia. It is logical that the foundation should support this cause which will result in reduced need for liver transplantation in children with Biliary Atresia. Also the clinical and histopathological data obtained from patients will be used for several meaningful research projects and publications.