Detailed pedigree charts were prepared from 120 index patients suffering from Indian childhood cirrhosis (ICC). Of the 120 families, 84 were informative for segregation analysis. Since families were ascertained through patients who came to hospital for treatment, the data were analyzed according to a single-selection model. The observed segregation ratio for the entire data was significantly lower than the one expected under the hypothesis of autosomal recessive inheritance (p = < 0.005). On the other hand, the segregation data for families with at least two affected children (multiplex families) were compatible with autosomal recessive inheritance. On this basis, however, at least 50% of all the cases of ICC would have to be of nongenetic origin. Alternatively, analysis of the data by the Falconer method indicated that ICC could be of multifactorial origin with very strong genetic determination (over 85%).

Example: Case I in the added drop by drop with shaking. It is important to add this acid slowly and to mix carefully to avoid charring the sample. When the whole ml of acid was added the tube was capped and thoroughly shaken and then allowed to stand for about 10 minutes. The acidified sample (pH approx. 1) was then filtered through filter paper no. 42. The clear filtrate was measured in a Vitatron colorimeter using a filter of 510 Fm. The machine was put back to zero on water between each sample reading.