Central Diabetes Insipidus in Father and Son Linked to a Rare Variant: A Case Report

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a rare disorder caused by a deficiency in the secretion of arginine vasopressin (AVP) from the posterior pituitary. It can be either acquired or congenital, often due to genetic factors, and is typically inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.

This study describes the clinical features and the genetic analysis of a father and his son with familial CDI. Both presented in childhood with typical symptoms, including polyuria, polydipsia, and hypernatremia. Diagnosis was confirmed through water deprivation testing and subsequently supported by sellar magnetic resonance imaging. Genetic analysis identified the rare germline variant c.329G>A (p.Cys110Tyr) in the AVP gene, in heterozygosity, which segregated in the parent-child pair, thereby elucidating the familial basis of the CDI.

This rare germline AVP variant causes a cysteine-to-tyrosine amino acid substitution in the encoded protein and is classified as pathogenic. Familial cases of rare diseases, such as CDI, highlight the importance of clinical evaluation of relatives with similar symptoms and emphasize the need for molecular studies and genetic counseling.