Postoperative Infection in Biliary Atresia Patients Reduces Early Bilirubin Clearance and Native Liver Survival: A Single - Center Retrospective Cohort Study

Background Besides to cholangitis, there are few reports on the influence of other infections post-Kasai procedure (KP) in biliary atresia (BA). The study is to investigate the prognosis associated with post-Kasai procedure (KP) infection. Methods This retrospective study included children with BA who underwent KP. Postoperative infection was the primary exposure variable of interest in this cohort. The primary outcome measure was post-operative native liver survival, while the secondary outcome measure was mortality attributed to infection. Results 1. A total of 404 cases included in the study. There were no significant differences in gender, age at operation, or gestational age between the two groups (P > 0.05). The native liver survival was 2.60 ± 2.95 years in the non-infected group, whereas it was reduced to 1.57 ± 1.70 years in the infected group (P < 0.01). Early-onset infection primarily impacts bilirubin clearance, resulting in delayed clearance of bilirubin (P < 0.01). Conclusion Postoperative infection in biliary atresia delays bilirubin clearance and reduces native liver survival.