Hepatology
Hepatology is the study, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas. Our hepatology program offers access to specialized clinics, state-of-the-art research trials, and engagement in national societies for the advancement of care for this population of pediatric patients.
Learn more about our Liver Care Center (Hepatology) at Stanford Children's >
Dr. Noelle Ebel, Inaugural Chief of the Section of Pediatric Hepatology
Hepatologists
Clinical Programs
Our team of hepatologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants treat patients with a variety of complex liver conditions. Here are a few multidisciplinary clinics that are offered to serve the unique needs of our patient populations.
A rare genetic condition that often affects the liver and heart, Alagille Syndrome is usually diagnosed within the first few year's of a child's life. Under the medical direction of Dr. Noelle Ebel, our Alagille Syndrome Program brings together experts from the Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center, Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction (PAR) Program, Pediatric Transplant Center and Neurosurgery program to make sure that children with this rare disease get the specialized treatment they require.
Portal Vein Anomalies Program
Portal vein anomalies are uncommon conditions in which the main vein supplying blood to the liver forms abnormally, is narrowed, or is blocked. This can disrupt normal liver blood flow and lead to complications such as portal hypertension or liver enlargement. At Stanford Children’s, these conditions are evaluated and managed by a specialized multidisciplinary team using imaging, medical care, and, when needed, interventional or surgical treatments.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is a disease of the bile ducts. The bile ducts become inflammed or blocked, allowing bile to accumulate in the liver. Some patients with PSC are also diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. In these cases, our hepatologists work closely with the IBD Center to determine treatment.
When one of the two heart ventricles does not develop fully, the heart has diffculty pumping blood throughout the whole body. Our Single Ventricle Program brings together a team of experts representing the many organ systems affected to help care for children with this rare, congenital heart disease.
The Biliary Atresia is a rare condition in infants in which the bile ducts become blocked or absent, preventing bile from draining from the liver and leading to progressive liver damage. The program provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care that includes advanced diagnostic testing, medical management, nutritional support, the Kasai procedure, and pediatric liver transplantation when needed.
Research Highlight
Through involvement in clinical registries, outcomes research, and investigational trials, the hepatology team seeks to advance the medical science and better understand the mechanisms that cause liver diseases as well as the indicators for better response to different treatments.
Here we highlight clinical projects that are currently recruiting or are about to begin. Visit our Publications to view a list of recently research findings.
The BOLD Study
Stanford is proud to be one of two recruiting sites in California for the Biliary Atresia and the Use of Odevixibat in Treating Liver Disease (BOLD) study. Under the direction of site investigator Dr. Amrita Narang, the trial will evaluate if a child with biliary atresia who has undergone a Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy can delay or avoid liver transplant by taking the investigational drug odevixibat. The BOLD study is the first pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for infants with biliary atresia.
Find out more information at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04336722.
Webinars & Medias Resources
We are proud to be actively involved in multiple networks and organizations dedicated to the care of children with acute and chronic liver conditions. Below, you can explore our recent national presentations, webinars, and media materials from the Pediatric Hepatology.
Patient Webinar: Biliary Atresia (Liver Disease) in Children
October 9, 2021 | Stanford Children's Health
Stanford Pediatric Grand Rounds: Advancing Health Equity in Liver Transplantation
October 13, 2023 | Stanford Department of Pediatrics
News & Events
SPLIT 2026 Annual Meeting
Congratulations to Dr. Amrita Narang, SPLIT Education Co-Chair, for hosting a successful 30th Annual SPLIT Meeting in San Francisco in April 2026. The meeting welcomed a record 340 attendees and featured outstanding speakers from across the pediatric liver transplant community.
Please visit this link for more photos.
How a collaborative medical effort saved a baby’s liver—and her life, The Washington Post
Gastroenterologists, rheumatologists and other specialists at Stanford Children’s Health banded together to address one baby’s rare condition.
Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Healthier Happy Lives Blog
Dr. Leina Alrabadi is featured on October 2025 Heathier, Happy Lives Blog in recognition of Liver Awareness Month. She addresses commonly asked questions about what it means to become a living donor.
Boy Transformed by Combined Intestinal-Liver Transplant, Healthier Happy Lives Blog
Read about Zeke, a patient who Transformed by Combined Intestinal-Liver Transplant. Dr. Ke-You Zhang is quoted.
BARE 2024 Symposium
The BARE Symposium is a two-day deep dive into biliary atresia and liver transplantation. Dr. Tebyan Rabbani from our Hepatology team gave an oral presentation on "Newborn Screening for Biliary Atresia Using Direct Bilirubin: An Implementation Science Study".
Please visit this link for more photos.
Q&A: Answering the ‘Why’ Behind Liver Transplant Inequity, Healthier Happy Lives Blog
Black and Hispanic children awaiting liver transplants often face longer wait times and higher risk of complications due to disparities in referral timing and access to specialized care. Dr. Peace Dike is working to better understand and address these inequities so that access to lifesaving transplants is determined by medical need rather than background.
