[Benign recurrent cholestasis in monozygotic twin girls (author's transl)].

The cases of Monozygotic twin girls suffering from benign recurrent familiar intrahepatic cholestasis are reported. So far both children had six icteric episodes due to this disease. These episodes occurred during times of severe emotional stress therefore, it may be assumed that a latent enzyme deficiency in the metabolism of bile acids, which is determined genetically, could be influenced by psychosomatic mechanisms. During the acute phases phenobarbital and cholestyramine succesfully reduced serum bilirubin levels.