Case report: Recently, our group consulted on a 3 week old infant (ex34 week) who weighed 2.8 kg and had cholestasis. In addition, he had a GGT in the 400s and an ultrasound notable for a “small” gallbladder.  Due to the patient’s small size, he underwent a HIDA (no excretion).   The GGT was actually improving but the clinical situation was concerning for biliary atresia.

Instead of arranging a liver biopsy, we were able to perform a MMP-7 (Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-7) assay which will be commercially available soon.  The result, which returned in 48 hours, indicated that the child had a >95% likelihood of biliary atresia. Subsequently, this infant is recovering from a hepatoportoenterostomy. No liver biopsy was needed prior to surgery.

My take: The MMP-7 assay is a remarkable test which is going to rapidly change the approach to infants with cholestasis.  I expect that this test will be ordered along with a serum alpha-one antitrypsin phenotype and an ultrasound.  In those with persistent cholestasis with negative initial testing, it is likely that, in the majority, a genetic cholestasis panel would be pursued rather than a liver biopsy.

Related blog posts:

• Blood Test is Better Than a Liver Biopsy for Bilary Atresia
• Will We Still Need a Liver Biopsy to Diagnose Biliary Atresia in a Few Years?
• Helpful Review on Biliary Atresia | gutsandgrowth
• Newborn bilirubin measurements for biliary atresia
• Neonatal cholestasis for neonatologists
• Guideline links for TEF and Infant Cholestasis
• Neonatal Cholestasis Lecture
• Diagnosing biliary atresia earlier | gutsandgrowth

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