Urinary riboflavin excretion and erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity in preschool children suffering from upper respiratory infections and measles.

The urinary and blood levels of riboflavin and erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) activity and its stimulation with FAD (EGR-AC) were examined in preschool children suffering from either measles or other upper respiratory infections and matched controls. Patients showed significantly higher levels of urinary riboflavin (per unit creatinine), erythrocyte riboflavin and EGR activity and lower EGR-AC values. This trend reversed after treatment. Mobilization of riboflavin from a labile tissue pool during infections may produce artefactual changes in the biochemical indices of riboflavin status. It would also prevent tissue saturation despite supplementation.