Bronze baby: A rare presentation of biliary atresia

Abstract

Bronze baby syndrome is a dark brown pigmentation of skin occurring sometimes following phototherapy. No specific treatment is required, as the pigmentation spontaneously disappears after the discontinuation of phototherapy. A 12-day-old neonate with dark brown pigmentation of skin was referred as cyanotic heart disease with the mass in the liver for emergency surgical removal. Infant was found to have conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Workup was performed for the possible causes. Infant was diagnosed to have extra-hepatic biliary atresia. Dark brown pigmentation should not be interpreted as cyanosis. Always rule out the underlying causative liver disease.

Keywords

• Bronze baby syndrome
• hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan
• phototherapy