Neonatal cholestasis mimicking biliary atresia: Could it be urinary tract infection?

Abstract

Cholestasis can occur in newborns due to infections. However, the manifestations of the underlying infections usually dominate the presentation. We present a 2-month-old infant who presented with jaundice and no fever or signs of systemic illness. Liver biopsy was suggestive of cholangitis. He was subsequently detected to have urinary tract infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae . The child was treated with appropriate antibiotics for 2 weeks following which the cholestasis resolved. Thus, neonatal cholestasis due to infections can also occur in the post-neonatal period without clinical manifestations of an underlying infection.