Children's Hospital
Rue willy-Donzé 6
1205 Geneva
Switzerland
The Swiss pediatric liver center - HUG
Rue willy-Donzé 6
1211 Geneva 14
Switzerland
Switzerland
Single telephone number (7j/7j – 24h/24h)
+41 22 372 46 60
Single fax number
+41 22 372 47 42
Single e-mail address : team.hepatoped@hcuge.ch
Address for emergencies : Avenue de la Roseraie 47
Emergency number/ambulance : 144
Following a study carried out in Switzerland between 2009-2015, screening by observing the colour of the newborn's stool during the first 45 days of life has been introduced in order to recognize biliary atresia easily and early. This method is simple, effective and inexpensive.
This screening significantly reduces the child's age at the time of Kasai's operation, resulting in a decreased need for liver transplants in childhood.
Also known as the stool color card, it is distributed by the obstetrician, midwife or pediatrician to the parents after the birth of their child.
ATTENTION : only the originals colors of the paper version are reliable. Do not print or photocopy the card and do not rely on the colors on the screen.
Then, parents must take this card back to their pediatrician for the first time, before the end of the first month of their baby's life, regardless of the results of the observation. If the stool color is abnormal, a consultation for a check-up with a pediatric gastroenterologist will be organized.
Simply compare the color of the newborn's stool with the color scale on the card. If the stool is discolored (images 5, 6 or 7) and his urine gets yellowish brown, please tick the appropriate box and consult your pediatrician.
Examinations should be carried out to check that the bile ducts are permeable. Most often, this involves a blood test and an abdominal ultrasound.