Bile ascites is a rare cause of mild icterus and abdominal distension in the newborn. An indirect inguinal hernia may also occur. The authors report such a case in a 5-week-old infant. Proof was obtained by abdominal ultrasonography followed by scanning with N-(2,6-dimethyl phenyl carboxymethyl) iminodiacetic acid labelled with technetium 99m (99mTc HIDA) and paracentesis. Laparotomy was carried out at 7 weeks of age and the opening in the common bile duct was closed with excellent results.