Alagille Syndrome Research Paper

The liver’s main function is to keep toxins and other harmful substances out of the human systems. It also has to break do It is a dark reddish-brown color. With an adult liver weighing an average of three pounds, it is the largest glandular organ. The liver is located in the right hypochondriac region and is made up of two different lobes. There is the right larger lobe and the left smaller lobe. There are 1.5 quarts of blood transported to the liver every minute through the hepatic artery and portal vein. Because the fact that the liver produces bile it is considered a gland. The liver is part of the digestive system. This system consists of the stomach, small intestine,large intestine, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. The first three organs listed are used to move and/or absorb food,

If a child has this disease then they usually lose bile ducts inside the liver while narrowing the bile ducts outside. Over time this will lead to bile build up in the liver which damages the liver cells. 30% to 50% children will be left with scarring, which leads to cirrhosis. The symptoms of alagille syndrome are usually pale skin, jaundice, loose stools, and poor growth within the first three month of life. Only later in life during the ages of four through ten will the symptoms stabilize and improve. Different things that could be affected are the kidneys, eyes, cardiovascular system, and/or the spine. Alagille syndrome can make children have physical appearances like a broad forehead, deep-set eyes, a straight nose, and a small pointed chin. The treatment of this syndrome would be to try and increase the flow of bile from the liver. Correcting nutritional deficiency that usually develops will also help. Trying to maintain the growth and development patterns of the child will also help. There is medication that can be prescribed in order to help the flow of bile from the