Anterior abdominal wall defects and biliary obstruction.

Three infants with anterior abdominal wall defects (gastroschisis and exomphalos) who presented with obstructive jaundice secondary to biliary obstruction, are described. All three infants had abnormal biliary systems, with mechanical distortion of the biliary tree. Biliary obstruction secondary to structural biliary anomalies should be considered in patients with abdominal wall defects and cholestasis, as prolonged unrelieved biliary obstruction may lead to biliary cirrhosis and portal hypertension.