Reset osmostat in pregnancy: a case report

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2014 Mar;27(5):530-3. doi: 10.3109/14767058.2013.819333. Epub 2013 Jul 23.

Abstract

The reset osmostat syndrome, a form of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), occurs when the threshold for antidiuretic hormone secretion is moved downward. There is evidence to suggest a "reset osmostat phenomenon" in normal pregnancies, whereby the average plasma-osmolality is decreased by 5-10 mOsm/kg. We present a case of a non-physiologic reset osmostat in a pregnant patient, thought to be caused by large intracranial arteriovenous malformations and intraventricular hemorrhage. The presence of a reset osmostat should be suspected in any patient with apparent SIADH who has mild hyponatremia that is stable over many days despite variations in sodium and water intake. Therapeutic efforts to raise the serum sodium concentration appear to be unnecessary.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / complications*
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnosis
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / drug therapy
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / complications
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Inappropriate ADH Syndrome / etiology*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / complications*
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / diagnosis
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / drug therapy

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones