Congenital biliary atresia caused by GPC1 gene mutation in Chinese siblings: A case report

BACKGROUND: Congenital biliary atresia (CBA) is a serious hepatobiliary disease in children with unknown etiology. Its outcome is often liver transplantation or death. Clarifying the etiology of CBA is of great significance for prognosis, treatment, and genetic counseling. CASE SUMMARY: A male Chinese infant at an age of 6 mo and 24 d was hospitalized because of "yellow skin for more than 6 mo". Soon after birth, the patient developed jaundice, which then progressively intensified. A "laparoscopic exploration" indicated "biliary atresia". After coming to our hospital, genetic testing suggested a GPC1 mutation [loss 1 (exons 6-7)]. The patient recovered and was discharged after living donor liver transplantation. After discharge, the patient was followed up. The condition was controlled by oral drugs, and the patient’s condition was stable. CONCLUSION: CBA is a complex disease with a complex etiology. Clarifying the etiology is of great clinical importance for treatment and prognosis. This case reports CBA caused by a GPC1 mutation, which enriches the genetic etiology of biliary atresia. However, its specific mechanism needs to be confirmed by further research.