[Hyperbilirubinemias; diagnostic and therapeutic aspects].

In the newborn functional disturbances of bilirubin metabolism may be threatening for the life of affected infants. Apart from states with massive overproduction of bilirubin caused by hemolytic crisis functional hyperbilirubinemias in adults represent preponderant hereditary disorders (Gilbert's syndrome, Dubin-Johnson-syndrome, Rotor-syndrome), full compatible with normal life span. Affected subjects are considered as normal persons and should be advised to live a normal life, avoiding however all well-known exogenous factors which may exacerbate the disease. The important clinical and characteristic diagnostic criteria of the mentioned disorders of bilirubin matabolism as well as the possibilities of their symptomatic therapy are discussed.