Abstract

Jaundice associated with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis was recognised in three patients; previous reports have suggested that this is a possible early manifestation of Gilbert syndrome. Most patients with Gilbert syndrome are homozygous for a (TA)₇TAA polymorphism in the gene promoter coding for bilirubin glucuronosyltransferase. Two of the reported patients were homozygous for the (TA)₇TAA polymorphism whereas the third was heterozygous for the same polymorphism. Furthermore, no other factors contributing to jaundice in the three patients were found. These results suggest that jaundice associated with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is due to molecular defects within the gene promoter.