Alagille Syndrome

Also known as: ALGS

What is Alagille syndrome?

Alagille syndrome is a genetic disorder. It causes problems throughout the body, but one of the common signs is liver damage due to problems with the liver’s bile ducts. Instead of transporting bile away from the liver to other parts of the body, these problems cause bile to build up in the liver and damage it.

What causes Alagille syndrome?

Alagille syndrome is a caused by a genetic mutation. In about half of the cases, the syndrome is a hereditary disorder passed along from parents to their children.
 

What are the symptoms of Alagille syndrome?

Symptoms of Alagille syndrome can include jaundice (a yellow tinge to the eyes or skin), itchiness, characteristic eye findings and facial features, kidney involvement, and anomalies of the heart, lungs and/or spine.

What are Alagille syndrome care options?

There is no cure for Alagille syndrome. Treatment is focused on the complications that arise from the disorder. This can include medications or procedures to increase bile flow, medicine to help with itchy skin, nutritional support and other treatment options.

Reviewed by: John M. Peters, DO

This page was last updated on: December 28, 2021 12:03 PM