[Diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis]

Experiences with an extended programme of diagnostics in 29 children with ensured or suggested hereditary spherocytosis are assessed and the validity or necessity of individual standard methods for making a diagnosis are discussed. The diagnosis can be sufficiently ensured by the evidence of familiarity, haemolysis (reticulocytosis, icterus) and diminished osmotic resistance of erythrocytes. The value of glycerol lyse tests (AGLT) is especially referred to. Usually an investigation into erythrocyte kinetics is not necessary, there is no need for the very expensive autohemolysis test.