Serum matrix metalloproteinase‐7 in biliary atresia: A Japanese multicenter study

Background Biliary atresia (BA) is among the commonest indications for liver transplantation (LT) in children. We examined whether serum matrix metalloproteinase‐7 (MMP‐7) is useful for diagnosis of BA in Japanese infants, and whether serum MMP‐7 concentrations before and after Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) predicted LT within a year. Methods Subjects under 6 months old at eight pediatric centers in Japan were enrolled retrospectively, including patients with cholestasis and normal controls (NC) without liver disease. Patients with cholestasis were divided into groups representing BA versus cholestasis from other causes (non‐BA). Serum samples were collected from patients with BA at diagnosis and 1 and 4 weeks after KP, as well as from non‐BA and NC. Results Serum MMP‐7 concentrations were significantly higher in BA at diagnosis (median, 89.1 ng/ml) than in non‐BA (11.0; p