Townsend MR, et al. - Authors sought to evaluate factors correlated with timing of hepatoportoenterostomy (HPE) and adverse perioperative outcomes in patients with biliary atresia in the United States. Using the National Inpatient Sample database for 2000-2011, hospitalizations in infants aged <1 year were examined. They used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the relationship between select factors and age at HPE, as well as adverse perioperative outcomes. They reported that current outcomes in patients with biliary atresia in the US were suboptimal and result in higher costs. The specific factors associated with delayed care were further evidence that universal health care and screening were required for all infants, along with systematic referral of potential patients with biliary atresia to specialized health centers.