What is Gilbert's syndrome?

Gilbert's syndrome is a hereditary liver disorder in which the liver is unable to breakdown bilirubin, leading to accumulation of bilirubin in blood (hyperbilirubinemia).

Most cases of Gilbert's syndrome tend to be mild and discovered accidentally, but sometimes it could cause marked increase of bilirubin in blood, which is manifested by the following:

• Jaundice and yellowish discoloration of skin and sclera.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Recurrent abdominal pain.

The clinical picture of Gilbert's syndrome isn't diagnostic. So to confirm diagnosis, the following investigations should be done:

• Complete blood count (CBC).
• Liver function test: increased bilirubin level.
• Pelvi-abdominal ultrasonography.
• Genetic tests that aim to identify the causative gene of Gilbert's syndrome.

Most cases of Gilbert's syndrome don't require therapeutic measures, except in cases of jaundice induced by marked hyperbilirubinemia (Phenobarbital is prescribed to restore bilirubin level within normal value).