Abstract
In order to evaluate the functional maturity of biliary tract at birth, repeated ultrasound scannings were carried out in 13 healthy newborn infants. All infants were nursed on breast from the age of 2 hours.
The gallbladder was full in all infants immediately after birth (longitudinal ellipsoid surface area 1.02 cm2(0.44) (mean(sd)). No response was found to the first nursing. In 3 infants out of 9 (33%) there was a full respose (100% emptying) during the first day of life, while in 2 (22%) the response was partial (47-88% emptying from the initial volume). In the rest 4 (44%) the gallbladder remained full during the first day of life. One of the infants showed no response during the first 3 days of life.
The biliary tract dynamics is highly variable after birth, possibly reflecting functional immaturity.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lehtonen, L., Svedström, E. & Korvenranta, H. 85 BILIARY TRACT DYNAMICS DURING THE FIRST DAY OF LIFE. Pediatr Res 30, 642 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00115
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00115
