What is a primary reason for a child to require a liver transplant?

Biliary atresia is a leading cause of liver failure in infants and one of the primary reasons children may require a liver transplant. This condition involves a blockage of the bile ducts, which can lead to bile accumulation, liver damage, and eventually cirrhosis if untreated. Early surgical intervention, such as the Kasai procedure, can sometimes improve outcomes; however, if these treatments do not adequately restore bile flow or if the liver sustains significant damage, a liver transplant may become necessary to ensure the child's long-term health.

While hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and liver tumors can also lead to liver transplantation, they are less common as primary indications in the pediatric population compared to biliary atresia. Hepatitis C is more prevalent in adults and less likely to be the initial cause in children. Cirrhosis can result from various etiologies in both adults and children, but in infants, biliary atresia is a more direct and frequent cause. Lastly, liver tumors, while they can necessitate a transplant, are rare in children compared to biliary atresia. Thus, biliary atresia holds a primary position in the context of pediatric liver transplants.