Umbilical hernia and clinical course of patients with bile duct atresia.

Background: Bile atresia is children's leading cause of cirrhosis. Its high morbidity and mortality are explained by its complications, including gastrointestinal bleeding and portal hypertension. Umbilical hernia has been embryologically and clinically associated with portal hypertension and cirrhosis; however, the clinical evolution of patients with bile atresia and umbilical hernia is unknown, so the aim of the study is to describe this link.