Acute intermittent porphyria: A rare cause of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2023 Jun;53(2):111-113. doi: 10.1177/14782715231161499. Epub 2023 Mar 8.

Abstract

A 31-year-old female presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation. Serum sodium levels were recorded at 110 mmol/L on admission, dropping to 96 mmol/L despite fluid restriction. The patient developed hallucinations and required hypertonic saline administration in critical care. Urinary sodium was detected at 149 mmol/L, consistent with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SiADH). Urinary porphyrins were also raised, consistent with a diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria with SiADH as a complication.

Keywords: COVID-19; SiADH; abdominal pain; hyponatraemia; porphyria; severe hyponatremia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inappropriate ADH Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Inappropriate ADH Syndrome* / etiology
  • Porphyria, Acute Intermittent* / complications
  • Porphyria, Acute Intermittent* / diagnosis
  • Sodium
  • Vasopressins

Substances

  • Vasopressins
  • Sodium