Drug metabolism in malnourished children: a study with antipyrine.

Abstract
The effect of malnutrition on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes was investigated in 8 Sudanese children 9-12.5 yr old using as a model the drug antipyrine. Antipyrine half-life and clearance were measured in the malnourished state and after 3 or 4 wk of good nutrition: Associated with the improvement in nutritional state was a shortening of antipyrine half-life and an increase in its clearance. There was also a rise in serum triiodothyronine. Poor nutrition is a factor associated with impaired drug metabolic capacity.