Screening
Stool cards
In several Asian countries, stool screening cards are handed out after birth to give parents a visual picture of the spectrum of acholic stools.[65][66] Parents are asked to call a hotline if any abnormal stool colours are detected. This has not been implemented in the US.
Direct bilirubin
In the UK, a pilot programme was tested using a visiting nurse to measure direct bilirubin in the first month of life.[67] Results indicated that the method employed for screening for cholestatic hepatobiliary disease (tandem mass spectrometry) could not feasibly be implemented for mass screening.
Studies in the US have shown that direct or conjugated bilirubin levels in the newborn can be used for early detection of biliary atresia.[3]
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