Intracranial hemorrhage associated with vitamin K-deficiency bleeding in patients with biliary atresia: focus on long-term outcomes

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding and optimal prophylaxis methods in biliary atresia: A surveillance study in Japan

BACKGROUND

Vitamin K (VK) prophylaxis refers to the administration of VK to newborns to prevent neonatal VK deficiency bleeding (VKDB), which is characterized by intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). This study investigated the relationship between VK prophylaxis methods and VKDB in biliary atresia (BA).

METHODS

The survey targeted 497 cases in the Japanese Biliary Atresia Registry between 2015 and 2019, of which 395 (79.5%) returned the questionnaire. Of the 395 patients, 289 were selected after excluding cases in which the gestational age was <36 weeks or the VK prophylaxis methods/feeding contents were unknown. The patients were categorized into two groups according to VK prophylaxis methods. We conducted a comparative study using propensity score matching. The prognosis of patients with or without ICH was also investigated.

RESULTS

In the analysis, no VKDB occurred in patients using the 3-month method. In the propensity score matching analysis, age at first visit and age at surgery were later in the three-times method (p = 0.018 and p = 0.022, respectively); VKDB was higher in the three-times method than in the 3-month method (p = 0.029). ICH, jaundice disappearance, cholangitis, and native liver survival rates (NLSRs) were not significantly different between groups. When examining the prognosis based on ICH occurrence, the two groups showed no significant differences in jaundice disappearance, cholangitis, and NLSRs. The ICH group had a greater number of cases of delayed mental and/or motor development.

CONCLUSIONS

In BA, the 3-month method is effective in preventing VKDB, and early diagnosis is crucial.

Biliary atresia and posterior fossa bleed: Chance or causality. A case report and review of the literature

Key Clinical Message

A newborn with a rare form of biliary atresia had posterior fossa bleed and subarachnoid hemorrhage despite vitamin K prophylaxis, indicating biliary atresia is a causality rather than chance.

Abstract

Biliary atresia frequently causes surgical jaundice, resulting in delayed vitamin K deficiency. We report a 28-day-old newborn diagnosed with a rare form of biliary atresia presented with an unusual association of posterior fossa bleed and subarachnoid hemorrhage despite vitamin K prophylaxis. Thus, biliary atresia remains causality rather than chance.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins Deficiency in Pediatric Cholestasis: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

This review aims to identify the current indications and gaps in the management of fat-soluble vitamins in pediatric patients with cholestasis.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase was performed. Two authors independently identified the most relevant studies published over the past 20 years up to February 2022, including original papers, narrative reviews, observational studies, clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The literature was screened, and preclinical studies about pathogenetic mechanisms were also included. Keywords searched for each fat-soluble vitamin (A, D, E and K), alone or in combination, were "cholestasis", "chronic liver disease", "biliary atresia", "malnutrition" and "nutritional needs". Studies published prior to the selected time range were searched manually and, when considered relevant, included within the list of references.

RESULTS

Eight hundred twenty-six articles were initially screened. From these, 48 studies were selected. A comparison of the recommended methods of supplementation for fat-soluble vitamins was then carried out. The causes of malabsorption were explained and current methods for defining deficiency and monitoring complications were summarized.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the literature, children with cholestasis are at a higher risk of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency. Although there are general recommendations, the treatment for vitamin deficiency is not uniformly validated.

Comparison of biliary atresia with and without intracranial hemorrhage

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe complication of biliary atresia (BA). We aimed to compare the clinical data of BA patients with and without ICH.

METHODS

Sixty-three BA patients who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy were included in this study. We retrospectively reviewed their clinical records, and compared the ICH and non-ICH groups.

RESULTS

ICH occurred in seven patients (11.1%). The patients with ICH were significantly older at the time of Kasai portoenterostomy (median age: 90.0 vs 65.5 days). The hepatobiliary enzyme levels of the patients with ICH were significantly lower in comparison to the patients without ICH (T-Bil 6.7 vs 9.8 mg/dl; AST 95 vs 194 U/L; ALT 44 vs 114 U/L). On the other hand, the coagulation test values of the patients with ICH were significantly higher in comparison to the patients without ICH (PT 50.0 vs 12.4 s; APTT 200.0 vs 36.9 s). Although the survival rates did not differ to a statistically significant extent, persistent neurological sequelae occurred in two patients in the ICH group.

CONCLUSIONS

The hepatobiliary enzyme levels of the patients with ICH were significantly lower than those without ICH. However, coagulopathy was found to be significantly more progressive in patients with ICH.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Referral Patterns and Factors Influencing Age at Admission of Infants with Cholestasis in India

OBJECTIVES

To define the recognition, age at admission, referral time and referral pattern of neonatal cholestasis in India.

METHODS

This prospective, observational study was conducted from February 2015 through March 2016 in the Pediatric gastroenterology unit of JIPMER, Pondicherry in infants with cholestasis < 6 mo of age.

RESULTS

Among 64 infants, median age of admission was 52 d (IQR 28-63 d). Fifty of sixty four infants (78.1%) came with parent-reported cholestasis-related symptoms of either jaundice alone (57.8%) or bleeding manifestations (20.3%). In 21.9% infants, jaundice was detected by physicians at a median age of 45 d (IQR 38.5-53.2 d). Two infants had intracranial bleed. Only 34% infants with pale stools were identified by the mother. The median healthcare-seeking time was 5.5 d (IQR 2.5-12 d). Among infants presenting to primary healthcare physicians (PHPs) with cholestasis-related symptoms, median time to referral was 5 d (IQR 2.5-12 d). The first point of healthcare contact in 54.7% was a PHP; 17.1% PHPs had reassured the parents. Herbal preparations were prescribed by 14.3%. Only 11.8% of those with jaundice as the only problem were given vitamin K before referral. Biliary atresia (BA) was missed in neonatal intensive care units in 9 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The above issues need to be accounted for before evaluating or implementing screening strategies in India.

Biliary atresia: Indications and timing of liver transplantation and optimization of pretransplant care

Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive, fibro-obliterative disorder of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts in infancy. The majority of affected children will eventually develop end-stage liver disease and require liver transplantation (LT). Indications for LT in BA include failed Kasai portoenterostomy, significant and recalcitrant malnutrition, recurrent cholangitis, and the progressive manifestations of portal hypertension. Extrahepatic complications of this disease, such as hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension, are also indications for LT. Optimal pretransplant management of these potentially life-threatening complications and maximizing nutrition and growth require the expertise of a multidisciplinary team with experience caring for BA. The timing of transplant for BA requires careful consideration of the potential risk of transplant versus the survival benefit at any given stage of disease. Children with BA often experience long wait times for transplant unless exception points are granted to reflect severity of disease. Family preparedness for this arduous process is therefore critical. Liver Transplantation 23:96-109 2017 AASLD.