The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of various methods in the differential diagnosis of neonatal cholestasis by prognostic final diagnosis. Forty-five infants with neonatal cholestasis were evaluated prospectively and 29 of them were diagnosed with biliary atresia and intrahepatic cholestasis by prognostic evaluation. These two groups were compared in regards to onset of jaundice, clay-colored stool, birth weight, ALT, direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, ultrasonography, 99m Tc count and liver needle biopsy. It is considered that liver biopsy is the most significant diagnostic method. However, severe neonatal hepatitis can be diagnosed by prognostic evaluation. Postmortem work-up is also important for final diagnosis of neonatal cholestasis in Turkey.

Keywords: neonatal kolestaz, geç dönemde değerlendirme, neonatal cholestasis, final long-term evaluation