Quantitative Studies of Direct Serum Bilirubin

Abstract

Conclusions

The chief clinical value of the quantitative determination of direct serum bilirubin appears to lie in the detection of hepatic functional impairment in the presence of a normal serum bilirubin concentration. Values constituting more than 50% of the total with readings at 5 minutes or more than 70-75% with readings at 30 minutes are probably abnormal. There is no apparent significant relationship between the amount or proportion of direct bilirubin and the production of a positive direct van den Bergh reaction in sera with normal total bilirubin content.