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Relationships between plasma theophylline clearance, liver volume and body weight in children and adults

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Summary

The influence of liver volume and body weight on plasma theophylline clearance was investigated in asthmatic children and adults. A linear relationship (r=+0.99) was demonstrated between ideal body weight and liver volume estimated by an ultrasonic scanning technique. Age-related changes in liver volume-to-body weight ratio could account for only 30% of differences in plasma theophylline clearance (l/h/kg) between children and adults. It is summized that increased hepatic mixed function oxidase activity is the major contributor to the higher plasma theophylline clearance in children.

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Grygiel, J.J., Ward, H., Ogborne, M. et al. Relationships between plasma theophylline clearance, liver volume and body weight in children and adults. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 24, 529–532 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609898

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00609898

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