RESETTING OF OSMORECEPTOR RESPONSE AS CAUSE OF HYPONATREMIA IN ACUTE IDIOPATHIC POLYNEURITIS

In a patient with hyponatraemia associated with acute idiopathic polyneuritis plasma concentrations of antidiuretic hormone increased when hypertonic saline was infused intravenously, and urine osmolality rose concomitantly. A water load was excreted normally, while the plasma remained extremely hypo-osmolal. It is concluded that osmoregulation was functioning normally but was set abnormally low, possibly owing to a disturbance of the peripheral volume receptors. © 1979, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.