Evidence for Increased Microsomal Hepatic Function in Thalassaemic Children as Detected by [13C]Aminopyrine Breath Test

Abstract

¹³C] aminopyrine breath tests (AP-BT) were performed in 19 children suffering from homozygous β-thalassaemia major. In contrast to expectations an increased ¹³C elimination representing an increased AP demethylation was found in initial breath tests. Repeated AP-BT over several years indicated a significant decrease by time. Hypothyreoidism was proved to delay AP demethylation. Though some of the patients show slightly disturbed coagulation and most of them elevated transaminases and definite hepatic iron storage, no correlation of these laboratory parameters to ¹³C elimination in ¹³C AP-BT was found.