Kosin Med J.  2023 Sep;38(3):219-223. 10.7180/kmj.23.105.

Central diabetes insipidus following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination: a case report

• Kim MY
• Hahm JR
• Jung J
• Jung JH
• Kim KY
• Kim H
• Baek JH
• Shin HS
• Kang KR
• Kim SK

• KMID: 2546158
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.23.105

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a major public health emergency worldwide. Vaccines were rapidly developed and approved to prevent the spread of viral infection. However, various side effects of the COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have been reported after their commercialization. A 24-year-old man visited our emergency department with polyuria and polydipsia that occurred after he received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine 10 days beforehand. The initial laboratory findings showed very low urine osmolality with hyperosmolar hypernatremia. Based on these findings, diabetes insipidus was suspected, and sella magnetic resonance imaging showed an enlarged pituitary gland and the absence of posterior pituitary higher intensity. After 12 hours of using oral desmopressin acetate, urine volume decreased, and after 5 days of administration, serum electrolyte and serum osmolality improved. This case report of diabetes insipidus occurring after vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is presented as a reminder that close monitoring is necessary for patients with polyuria and polydipsia after vaccination.

Keyword

Case reports; Diabetes insipidus; Hypernatremia; mRNA vaccine; Polyuria

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary gland. (A) Sagittal pre-contrast T1 image showing an enlarged pituitary gland and stalk, with no posterior pituitary hyperintensity. (B) Sagittal and (C) coronal post-contrast T1 images showing an enlarged pituitary gland and stalk, with heterogeneous enhancement.

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  Fig. 2. Clinical course of (A) serum sodium concentration, (B) osmolality, and (C) urine osmolality.

Reference

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