OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of preoperative gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels on the prognosis of neonatal biliary atresia (NBA) in patients who underwent the Kasai procedure. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients with NBA who underwent the Kasai procedure at our hospital from 2017 to 2021. Patients were categorized into high (GGT >
300 IU/L) and GGT inadequate (GGT ≤ 300 IU/L) groups based on preoperative GGT levels. The influence of GGT levels on NBA prognosis was evaluated by comparing clinical data, age at operation, jaundice normalization, and survival outcomes between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients with NBA were included, with 59 in the high GGT group and 15 in the GGT inadequate group. Ages at the time of the Kasai procedure ranged from 31 to 106 days, with a median of 61 days
the average weight was 4.8 ± 1.1 kg. Two years post-procedure, 56 patients (75.7%) survived with their native liver ( CONCLUSIONS: High preoperative GGT levels predict better prognosis in patients with NBA undergoing Kasai operation.