Cushing's syndrome with diabetes insipidus in pregnancy: a case report

Cushing's syndrome (CS) during pregnancy is a rare condition associated with significant maternal and fetal complications, including hypertension, diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. Diabetes insipidus (DI) in pregnancy is a rare but often diagnosed condition, and its effective management is crucial for maintaining maternal health during pregnancy and childbirth. This case report describes the rare coexistence of DI and CS during pregnancy, highlighting the unique complexities in diagnosis and management.

A 29-year-old woman with a history of pregnancy-induced hypertension developed severe hypertension, hypokalemia, and polyuria (6.6 L/day) during her 7th pregnancy. Laboratory findings showed elevated cortisol, suppressed adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and a 30-mm left adrenal mass, confirming adrenal CS. Despite potassium supplementation, persistent polyuria and fluid imbalance necessitated initiating desmopressin therapy at 27 weeks of gestation. The patient subsequently developed preeclampsia and underwent emergency cesarean section at 29 weeks, delivering a 1197-g infant with a very low birth weight. Polyuria resolved postpartum, and she underwent left adrenalectomy after discharge.

This case illustrates the complexity of managing coexisting CS and GDI during pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of considering alternative mechanisms, such as cortisol-induced antidiuretic hormone resistance, in polyuria. Multidisciplinary approaches are crucial to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes in rare endocrine conditions, and help contribute to the understanding of CS and DI interactions during pregnancy.