Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2004; 112(5): 278-280
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-817976
Case Report

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Early Postpartum Hyponatremia in a Patient with Transient Sheehan's Syndrome

W. Munz1 , R. Seufert2 , P.-G. Knapstein2 , K. Pollow3
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of the Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
  • 3Department of Experimental Endocrinology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: May 19, 2003 First decision: August 18, 2003

Accepted: December 8, 2003

Publication Date:
14 May 2004 (online)

Abstract

In modern day health care, Sheehan's syndrome is a rare disorder affecting the postpartum period. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman with atonic hemorrhage developing a transient Sheehan's syndrome associated with hyponatremia six days postpartum. Evaluation of cranial computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary demonstrated normal finding. Immediate replacement therapy using sodium, chloride, hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone and levothyroxine revealed regression of the Sheehan's syndrome to complete recovery. The present report shows that Sheehan's syndrome can be associated with hyponatremia and illustrates the need to include hyponatremia as an initial symptom in the differential diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome.

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Dr. med. Winfried Munz

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of the Saarland

Kirrberger Straße

66421 Homburg/Saar

Germany

Phone: + 49(0)68411628118

Fax: + 49 (0) 6 84 11 62 80 79

Email: frwmun@uniklinik-saarland.de

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