Family studies of mephenytoin hydroxylation deficiency.

A genetic polymorphism characterized by deficient drug oxidation exists for the hydroxylation of mephenytoin. This deficiency was first recognized in a family study that suggested an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. To confirm the observation, we investigated 28 relatives of five poor metabolizers. Subjects ingested 50 mg of mephenytoin, and the 24-hr urine was analyzed for hydroxymephenytoin. The pedigree data shown here provide strong evidence that deficient mephenytoin hydroxylation is an autosomal recessive trait.