The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients with neonatal cholestasis retrospectively. We investigated the clinical, laboratory, radiological and histopathological findings of 50 patients (30 males, median age: 2 months) with neonatal cholestasis. Intrahepatic cholestasis was determined in 74% and extrahepatic cholestasis in 26% of the patients. Acholic stool appeared earlier in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis than in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis. Serum transaminases, gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels were higher in extrahepatic cholestasis. Low birth weight and consanguinity rate were higher in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis. Thirty-four patients were followed for a median of 12 months (1-120 months). During the follow-up, 19 patients had normal laboratory and clinical findings, and hepatic failure findings developed in 20.5% of patients. We emphasize that neonatal cholestasis should be suspected in cases of prolonged jaundice. Biochemical, serological, and metabolic tests are important for diagnosis, but liver biopsy is the most sensitive method.

Keywords: neonate, cholestasis