Recurrent Adipsic Hypernatremia in a Fully Independent Non-psychiatric Patient With Multiple Congenital Anomalies: A Case Report

Cureus. 2022 Apr 8;14(4):e23942. doi: 10.7759/cureus.23942. eCollection 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Osmoregulation is a fundamental process of homeostasis that maintains metabolic and biochemical reactions, thermoregulation, and fluid-electrolytes balance. Fluid-electrolytes imbalance leads to various clinical manifestations ranging from mild weakness to severe neurological dysfunction. Adipsic hypernatremia is an exceedingly rare life-threatening condition characterized by defective osmoregulatory mechanisms. It is more often reported in patients with severe untreated psychiatric disorders for unknown etiologies, but it may result from congenital or acquired hypothalamic lesions in the form of stroke, neoplastic infiltration, trauma, or infection. Herein we report an unusual case of isolated hypernatremia in a fully independent non-psychiatric 27-year-old diabetic male with spina bifida, repaired cleft palate, and mild caudal regression syndrome.

Keywords: adipsia; altered mental status; hypernatremia; osmolality; psychogenic adipsia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports