What condition presents with jaundice in an infant but differs from biliary atresia?

Prepare for the PLAB Pediatrics Exam with targeted quizzes. Enhance your knowledge with practice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Get ready to succeed!

The condition that presents with jaundice in an infant and differs from biliary atresia is galactosemia. Galactosemia is a metabolic disorder that results from the inability to properly metabolize galactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. When an infant with galactosemia is exposed to milk, galactose accumulates in the body, leading to a range of symptoms, including jaundice, liver dysfunction, vomiting, and poor feeding.

In contrast to biliary atresia, which is a structural defect of the bile ducts that leads to obstructive jaundice due to the inability to excrete bilirubin, galactosemia is an enzymatic deficiency that causes jaundice through a different mechanism. The jaundice seen in galactosemia arises from liver damage and the metabolic derangement caused by the accumulation of toxic metabolites, while biliary atresia is characterized by physical blockage preventing bile from reaching the intestine.

Other conditions such as hepatitis and hyperbilirubinemia can also cause jaundice but typically involve different presentations, underlying causes, and additional symptoms. Cholelithiasis, or gallstones, is less common in infants and generally occurs in older children or adults, making it a less

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy