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Welcome! Our first son, Anthony, was born in Nov 2003 with a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia. He was transplanted with the left lobe of his Daddy's liver in March 2004. Our second son, Benjamin, was born in June 2008. Check often for updates on our two boys and the other goings on in our household.
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.
10 comments:
Congratulations Laurie, Mark Anthony and Benjamin!!! What a handsome young man he is!!! I hope Laurie is doing well and since we leave for the beach tomorrow AM I will announce to everyone that was too busy packing to check emails. I think since he has made his arrival on June 20th it is a definite that you all come to the beach with us next year. We can celebrate his birthday!!!!
Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Love,
Patsy, David and Julie <3 (it's a heart)
Congratulations! He's adorable!
Elizabeth and Troy
Congrats----he is so handsome! I bet Anthony is so happy--Get some rest now Laurie and Mark
Cheri
8# 2.4 oz? 20.75"? Jeez, that's a big old kid. I can see why it took a while. Congratulations.
Congratulations! Is that red hair we're seeing?
Congratulations!!! He is beautiful.
Erika (erika4974 from LF)
What a sweet bebe! Can't wait to come see him when I get home. Love you guys.
Hailiegh is so excited Rudy is here. She's not quite sure why you named him Benjamin though:) Good thing you didn't go until July or he'd have been a 10 pounder! yikes! We're so happy for all of you and can't wait to see the new guy soon.
The Furlongs
Congratulations!! 10:22 is actually my FAVORITE time since my birthday is 10/22 (I know, I'm a nerd, but it really is!) I actually saw 10:22 last night and thought--yay, it's 10:22...little did I know you were excited at that time too! :o)
Take care.
=)Amanda
Congratulations, Laurie and Mark! My internet has been down at home all weekend, so I'm just now seeing Benjamin. He's perfectly beautiful!
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