Neonatal Dubin-Johnson syndrome with severe cholestasis: effective phenobarbital therapy

Acta Paediatr Scand. 1991 Mar;80(3):381-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1991.tb11867.x.

Abstract

We described Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) with severe cholestasis in a 20-day-old Japanese boy. Although neonatal DJS has been sporadically reported. DJS with severe cholestasis has not to our knowledge been described in the English literature. The ratio of urinary coproporphyrin isomer I to urinary total coproporphyrin in our patient was high (93%). Liver histology showed cytoplasmic pigment granules in the liver cells. Administration of phenobarbital (PB) significantly decreased the levels of bilirubin and bile acids in the serum. There was a significant elevation of 1 beta-hydroxylated bile acids in the urine. It is predicted that severe cholestasis in neonatal DJS may cause metabolic abnormalities in both bilirubin and bile acids transport.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bile Acids and Salts / blood
  • Bile Acids and Salts / urine
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Cholestasis / complications*
  • Cholestasis / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Jaundice, Chronic Idiopathic / complications*
  • Jaundice, Chronic Idiopathic / drug therapy
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Phenobarbital / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Bilirubin
  • Phenobarbital