Most patients with early surgical treatment for biliary atresia survive into adulthood, and some achieve long-term survival with liver transplantation.
Biliary atresia is mainly treated by surgery, emphasizing early diagnosis and early surgery, which can get more chances of survival. The best time for surgery is within 2 months after birth, and about 30% of the children can achieve long-term survival without liver transplantation.
The prognosis is poorer in older children or those with preoperative fibrosis, and those who are not treated surgically are prone to biliary cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and most often die within 2 years of age.
If biliary atresia is detected, early surgical treatment is recommended for a better chance of survival to avoid delaying the optimal time for surgery.