吉尔伯特综合征最有可能以常染色体隐性的方式遗传;因此,直系家庭成员有患病风险。然而,吉尔伯特综合征的遗传模式一直难以确定。数据提示遗传模式为常染色体隐性遗传,而较早的研究报告了伴不完全外显模式的常染色体显性遗传的可能性。[1]Watson KJ, Gollan JL. Gilbert's syndrome. Balliere's Clin Gastroenterol. 1989;3:337-355.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2655758?tool=bestpractice.com[6]Bosma PJ, Chowdhury JR, Bakker C, et al. The genetic basis of the reduced expression of bilirubin UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1 in Gilbert's syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1995;333:1171-1175.http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199511023331802#t=articlehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7565971?tool=bestpractice.com在不明病因的高间接胆红素血症新生儿的父母中开展了一项研究,结果表明,与胆红素正常的新生儿父母相比,其吉尔伯特综合征的患病率无差异。[3]Saki F, Hemmati F, Haghighat M. Prevalence of Gilbert syndrome in parents of neonates with pathologic indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Ann Saudi Med. 2011;31:140-144.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3102472/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21403409?tool=bestpractice.com