Diabetes Insipidus and Concomitant Myocarditis: A Late Sequelae of COVID-19 Infection

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global pandemic with diverse systemic complications.
• While cardiovascular effects like myocarditis are recognized, endocrine complications, especially pituitary abnormalities, are less common.
• Previous reports suggest diabetes insipidus as a potential late sequela of COVID-19.

Observation:

• This report details a young male patient admitted with myocarditis secondary to COVID-19.
• During hospitalization, on day 7, the patient developed symptoms indicative of diabetes insipidus.
• Clinical presentation included elevated serum sodium and low urine osmolality.

Findings:

• The patient's condition was diagnosed as diabetes insipidus, a rare endocrine complication of COVID-19.
• Laboratory findings confirmed the diagnosis, showing hypernatremia and inappropriately dilute urine.
• The patient responded well to desmopressin treatment.

Implications:

• This case underscores the potential for delayed endocrine complications following COVID-19 infection.
• It highlights the importance of monitoring for pituitary dysfunction, specifically diabetes insipidus, in patients recovering from severe COVID-19.
• Early diagnosis and treatment with desmopressin can lead to favorable outcomes for this rare complication.