Genetic investigation into an increased susceptibility to biliary atresia in an extended New Zealand Māori family

摘要

BackgroundBiliary atresia (BA), a fibrosing disorder of the developing biliary tract leading to liver failure in infancy, has an elevated incidence in indigenous New Zealand (NZ) Māori. We investigated a high rate of BA in a group of children (n = 12) belonging to a single Māori iwi (or ‘tribe’, related through a remote ancestor).