Simple Joys in Life: The Child Returns

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

The Child Returns

Thank God, he's home. I don't think I could have made it another second without him. It was so wonderful to see my sweet boy's face last night. I barely slept last night because I got up to look at him no less than three times. Then he woke me at 5:00. It's so great to have him home!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: I'm glad you have that sweet boy back in your arms again! I think it was harder on Mommy than anything...tee hee. The pictures of his vacation are precious. Looks like he had lots of fun with Nana and Grandpa. :); July 25, 2006 9:34 PM
Renee said...: Aww, so sweet. I'm glad your baby is back. It's hard living without them!; July 26, 2006 9:39 AM

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About Biliary Atresia

Biliary atresia is a progressive inflammatory process that begins very soon after birth. In the most common form, called extrahepatic biliary atresia, the delicate ducts outside the liver are affected first. White blood cells invade the ducts, which become damaged and may whither or completely disappear. Bile is trapped inside the liver and rapidly causes damage and scarring to the liver cells. Further scarring of the liver tissue may result in cirrhosis.

On average, there is one case of biliary atresia out of every 15,000 live births. Females are affected slightly more often than males. In the United States, approximately 300 new cases are diagnosed each year.

The cause of biliary atresia is unknown. Auto-immune mechanisms may be partly responsible for the progressive process that takes place. Recent research suggests that a viral infection in susceptible infants could result in biliary atresia. About 10% of cases have other associated congenital defects in the heart, blood vessels, intestine, or spleen.

Although the cause is uncertain, it is known that biliary atresia affects only newborns; it is not hereditary; it is not contagious; and it is not preventable.

A surgical procedure called the Kasai (hepatoportoenterostomy) can be performed in hopes of saving the liver. With the Kasai, the liver is connected directly to the small intestine, circumventing the gall bladder. The Kasai is usually successful in 1/3 of cases, while the other 2/3 result in the need for a liver transplant. Anthony's team of doctors were unable to diagnose Anthony with biliary atresia, and the Kasai was never performed. We learned after his transplant that the Kasai would never have worked, and we would have traveled the same road to transplant.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

The Child Returns

2 comments:

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