European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Biliary atresia is a rare disease characterized by an obstructive cholangiopathy of intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile ducts. Etiology is unknown. The reported two-year survival rate without any intervention is less than 5%. Early intervention is an important predictive factor for successful patient outcome. Aims: The goal of the present study is to examine the clinical use of serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) for early diagnosis and prognostication in biliary atresia following Kasai Hepatoportoenterostomy (KHPE). Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study which was conducted at a large tertiary care pediatric referral center. A total of eighty cases were reviewed from March 2020 to April 2022. The GGT levels were obtained pre-operatively. Baseline parameters like age at surgery, outcome and prognosis were evaluated. Results: 80 infants underwent Kasai Hepatoportoenterostomy. The age of the infants ranged from 31days to 116 days (median age of 62 days). Out of all the cases, 60% (48/80) had GGT value of <400 IU/L, 40% (32/80) had GGT value of >400IU/L. Low GGT(<400IU/L) group had shorter time to liver transplant and a poorer outcome. Conclusions: A low GGT level in biliary atresia might be associated with early onset of severe liver illness, and poor postoperative course after Kasai Hepatoportoenterostomy. Recent advances in non-invasive test like GGT has shown promise as an effective diagnostic and prognostic marker in biliary atresia.