Central diabetes insipidus following carbon monoxide poisoning

Diabetes insipidus is a rare complication after carbon monoxide poisoning. We report on a woman and her daughter who were noted to have polyuria and h ypernatremia after exposure to carbon monoxide, Both patients were responsi ve to desmopressin therapy, and the diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus was made. The development and correction of hypernatremia further complica ted the neurological damages caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. These cas es illustrate the possibility of central diabetes insipidus and hypernatrem ia after carbon monoxide poisoning and the importance of immediate antidiur etic hormone treatment and careful fluid therapy. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Kar gerAG, Basel.