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Verapamil-induced "primary" polydipsia
1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO, USA.
Insights
Verapamil, used for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), may cause primary polydipsia in infants. This behavioral change, marked by increased thirst and urination, resolved after discontinuing the medication.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a common arrhythmia in infants.
- Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker frequently used to manage SVT.
Observation:
- An infant treated with oral verapamil for recurrent SVT developed behavioral changes.
- Symptoms included lethargy, excessive thirst and urination (polydipsia), and irritability.
Findings:
- The infant was diagnosed with primary polydipsia after ruling out other conditions like diabetes insipidus and mellitus.
- Resolution of symptoms occurred one week after verapamil cessation.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential adverse effect of verapamil in infants.
- Clinicians should consider verapamil-induced polydipsia in infants presenting with these symptoms.
Abstract:
An 11-month-old male infant with recurrent supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) was treated with oral verapamil. Shortly thereafter he developed marked changes in behavior including lethargy, intensely increased thirst and urination, and irritability when denied fluids. "Primary" polydipsia was diagnosed following an evaluation which showed no evidence of adrenal insufficiency, diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, hypercalcemia, hyperosmolality, or renal disease. The symptoms resolved 1 week after verapamil was discontinued.