Affiliation:
1. Departments of Pediatrics National Taiwan University Hospital Taipei Taiwan
2. Departments of Pediatrics New Taipei City Hospital New Taipei City Taiwan
3. Department of Pediatrics National Taiwan University BioMedical Park Hospital Taipei Taiwan
4. Department of Pediatrics National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin‐chu Branch Taipei Taiwan
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveBiliary atresia (BA) is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and chronic liver insufficiency in children in the world. Gastroesophageal varices bleeding is an ominous complication of cirrhosis in BA patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the utility of noninvasive Baveno VI and Baveno VII criteria for the screening of varices need treatment (VNT) and the need for liver transplantation in BA patients.MethodsThis study enrolled 48 BA patients (23 females and 25 males) who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and transient elastography at a mean age of 11.18 ± 1.48 years; the clinical data were surveyed in a retrospective design.ResultsThe sensitivity and negative predictive value of Baveno VI and Baveno VII criteria for the prediction of VNT in BA patients are both 100% and 100%, respectively. The VNT missing rate of Baveno VI and Baveno VII criteria are both 0% in our cohort. The Baveno VI, expanded Baveno VI, and Baveno VII criteria are also predictive of the need for liver transplantation in our cohort (OR = 10.33, 4.24, and 21.33; p = 0.009, 0.03, and 0.007, respectively).ConclusionThe Baveno VI and Baveno VII criteria are useful for the screening of VNT and minimize non‐necessary invasive EGD in BA patients with low VNT missing rates. The Baveno VI, expanded Baveno VI, and Baveno VII criteria are associated with the need for liver transplantation.