Management of cholestatic pruritus in children with Alagille syndrome: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Alagille syndrome causes intractable pruritus and disfiguring xanthomas because of retained bile acids and cholesterol. Drug therapy in addition to surgical intervention may be effective in many patients in reducing serum bile acids, cholesterol levels, pruritus, and skin xanthomas. In this report, we describe a child with Alagille syndrome who presented with severe pruritus and xanthomas as a consequence of severe hypercholesterolemia and discuss the treatment modalities.