Pediatric Liver Disease

As a young man, I didn’t want people to think I was perpetually sick; and I wasn’t going to let liver disease define me.

Like many newborns, Carter was born slightly jaundice. A few weeks after leaving the hospital, Carter began to develop bilateral inguinal hernias – something that would soon be a blessing in disguise.

I was born with Biliary Atresia. I was dealt an unfair hand but have never viewed it that way and because of that I am the person I am today.

This staff assistant is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and also has the beginnings of a disease that killed his father: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

I’ll never forget the look on the resident’s face when she entered our hospital room with the attending physician. At that moment we were informed our perfect baby had Biliary Atresia.

As an infant I was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, underwent the Kasai procedure, and had my gallbladder removed.

I was born with the liver disease known as Biliary Atresia. My parent’s first suspected something was wrong when they noticed that my skin and eyes were yellowing.

I currently manage a chronic liver disease called Autoimmune Hepatitis. At the age of 12 I fell into complete liver failure and was rushed to Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta.

After weeks of tests, we finally received a diagnosis… Biliary Atresia. Molly’s surgeon shed tears with us as she delivered this heartbreaking news.

We were then introduced by a pediatric GI specialist to a disease named Biliary Atresia. We were told the only way to save OUR baby girl was going through a Kasai Procedure.

I was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia at around 6-months-old. I was put on the transplant list, and received my new liver on January 14, 1983.

Elaina was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia at two weeks old and had her Kasai procedure done at three weeks old.