[Water intoxication following oxytocin perfusion]

Abstract

The authors report a case of water intoxication in a woman who received 140 I.U. of oxytocin in 3 litres of glucose serum in 15 hours to induce a therapeutic abortion. This water intoxication led to loss of consciousness with increase in weight and hyponatraemia. The treatment consisted in restricting fluid intake, giving sodium and 20% Mannitol. A short review of the literature with an explanation of the physiopathology is given. This is the antidiuretic action of oxytocin when it is given with too much fluid without electrolytes.