Water metabolism and postconcussional symptoms 5 weeks after mild head injury

N. Bohnen*, A. Twijnstra, J. Jolles

*Corresponding author for this work

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    Abstract

    Posttraumatic diabetes insipidus has been reported as a sequela to head injury. It is unknown whether subclinical types of diabetes insipidus, or other types of water metabolism disorders, occur after mild head injury (MHI) and, if so, whether they are related to the persistence of postconcussional symptoms. MHI patients (n = 38) were screened for disturbances of water metabolism by comparing plasma and urine osmolalities at about 5 weeks after the trauma. Eight patients had evidence of an increased plasma osmolality together with a relatively decreased urine osmolality after an overnight fast. The presence of this disturbance was significantly related to the persistence of postconcussional symptoms. The results suggest that subclinical disturbances of water metabolism may, among other factors, be related to the persistence of symptoms after MHI.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)77-79
    Number of pages3
    JournalEuropean Neurology
    Volume33
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1993

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