Synonyms

• Cirrhosis, Congenital Liver
• Cirrhosis, Giant Cell of Newborns
• Giant Cell Disease of the Liver
• Giant Cell Hepatitis
• Idiopathic Neonatal Hepatitis
  

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Neonatal Hepatitis, also known as Giant Cell Hepatitis, is a liver disease of infancy. It is the most common cause of interrupted bile flow from the liver (cholestasis) in newborns.

Bile is secreted by the liver and flows through the bile ducts into the small intestine. Bile aids in the digestion of fats. The symptoms of Neonatal Hepatitis may include an abnormal yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice), pale stools, and/or dark urine. The exact cause of Neonatal Hepatitis is not fully understood. Most cases occur for no apparent reason (sporadic). However, some cases of Neonatal Hepatitis may be inherited as an autosomal recessive genetic trait.