ChiLDReN/BA: Genetic studies of biliary atresia in the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network
Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive necroinflammatory process initially involving the extra-hepatic biliary tree. Little is known about the factors that cause BA or the factors that influence disease progression. A variety of genetic, autoimmune, and environmental influences have been hypothesized to be important. Most studies to date have focused on the neonate and young child with BA, yet the older surviving child with BA can provide important information about genetics as well as natural history.The Childhood Liver Disease Research Network (ChiLDReN) conducts two longitudinal and observational studies that include BA patients: Biliary Atresia Study in Infants and Children (BASIC) and A Prospective Database of Infants with Cholestasis (PROBE). Using samples from participants in... (for more see dbGaP study page.)