The association of extrahepatic bile duct atresia and neonatal Epstein-Barr virus infection.

An infant with uncorrectable extrahepatic bile duct atresia was found to have evidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection during the neonatal period. It is probable that the infection was acquired in utero. In view of the association of hepatitis with the Epstein-Barr virus in later life, it is possible that this infection was responsible for the development of bile duct obstruction.