Nutritional Support for Patients with Biliary Atresia

Nutritional issues are very common in patients with biliary atresia (BA), from infants to adolescents. Malnutrition is universal in children with BA, even in that post-hepatoportoenterostomy (the Kasai operation), because bile secretion into the intestine may not be sufficient for fat absorption, and the gut microbiota may be aberrant because of the frequent administration of antibiotics, leading to impaired digestibility. Nutritional deficiency or malnutrition includes not only macronutrients such as essential fatty acids, but also fat-soluble vitamins and iron, iodine, zinc, and calcium. Treatment is aimed at reversing the consequences of anorexia, increasing energy needs, and improving associated intestinal malabsorption.