Adipsic hypernatremia with a reset osmostat, A clinical study

ABSTRACT

This case clinical study describes a 10-years old boy with idiopathic adipsic hypernatremia associated with reset [shift to right] osmostat for arginine vasopressin [AVP] secretion, combined with a relative deficiency of AVP. His clinical course was characterised by intermittent exacerbation of chronic hypernatremia due to lack of thirst. The pathophysiology of adipsic hypernatremia and the practical difficulties in the management are discussed