Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiency in Pediatric Patients with Biliary Atresia

OBJECTIVE To analyze the levels of fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs) in pediatric patients with biliary atresia (BA) before and after the Kasai procedure. METHODS Pediatric patients with obstructive jaundice were enrolled in this study. The FSV levels and liver function before, 2 weeks after, and 1, 3, and 6 months after the Kasai procedure were measured. RESULTS FSV deficiency was more obvious in patients with BA than in patients with other cholestatic liver diseases, especially vitamin D deficiency. 25-Hydroxy vitamin D (25-(OH)D) deficiency was more pronounced in younger patients before surgery. The 25-(OH)D level was significantly higher in patients with than without resolution of jaundice 3 months after surgery. At 6 months after surgery, the 25-(OH)D level was abnormally high at 8.76 ng/ml in patients with unresolved jaundice. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative FSV deficiency, particularly vitamin D deficiency, is common in patients with BA. 25-(OH)D deficiency is more pronounced in younger children before surgery. Postoperative FSV deficiency was still prevalent as shown by the lower 25-(OH)D levels in patients with BA and unresolved jaundice. This required long-term vitamin AD supplementation for pediatric patients with BA and unresolved jaundice after surgery.