Severe hypernatremia after cesarean delivery secondary to transient diabetes insipidus of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND

Transient diabetes insipidus is an uncommon complication of pregnancy, usually manifesting with polydipsia and polyuria. This condition is considered to result from excess placental vasopressinase activity and is managed with deamino D arginine vasopressin.

METHODS

While on restricted oral intake after cesarean delivery, the patient gradually became disoriented and agitated in conjunction with markedly increased urine output disproportional to her intravenous crystalloid fluid intake. Marked hypernatremia of 178 mEq/dL was noted. Urine osmolality was low at 248 mOsm/L. The clinical presentation and electrolyte abnormalities were considered consistent with transient diabetes insipidus of pregnancy. The patient responded well to nasal-spray-administered deamino D arginine vasopressin and increased intravenous fluid intake, with resolution of symptoms and gradual normalization of serum sodium levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Transient diabetes insipidus of pregnancy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe hypernatremia in obstetric patients with restricted oral intake after operative delivery.