EVIDENCE FOR INCREASED MICROSOMAL HEPATIC-FUNCTION IN THALASSEMIC CHILDREN AS DETECTED BY [C-13] AMINOPYRINE BREATH TEST

[C-13] aminopyrine breath tests (AP-BT) were performed in 19 children suffering from homozygous beta-thalassaemia major. In contrast to expectations an increased C-13 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 C-13 elimination in C-13 AP-BT was found.