Colestasis del recién nacido y del lactante

the small newborns and infants have a functional anatomical immaturity justifying that liver diseases present at these ages have the jaundice as leading sign and that other extra-hepatic or systemic processes may conditioning the cholestasis. infant cholestasis is a clinical syndrome characterized by jaundice, acholia or hypoacholia and choluria evolving with a rise of direct bilirubin and of serum biliary acids. the diagnostic assessment of infant presenting with cholestasis made by a multidisciplinary staff must to minimize the carrying out of unnecessary tests to obtain an appropriate diagnosis in less time, to differentiate among the intrahepatic or extrahepatic cholestasis and to achieve an etiologic diagnosis including the processes threatening the life or that requiring a medical or surgical specific treatment. the aim of present paper is to review the leading causes, diagnostic procedures and the therapeutical approach of cholestasis en the newborn and in the infant to contribute to its early diagnosis and its appropriate treatment.