The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone in children with bacterial meningitis

Abstract

Plasma concentrations of arginine vasopressin were determined by radioimmunoassay in 13 normal children, 21 patients with febrile illnesses (not bacterial meningitis), and 17 patients with bacterial meningitis. The mean +/- 1 SD concentrations of AVP in the normal children and patients with various febrile illnesses were 0.7 +/- 0.6 and 1.0 +/- 1.2 muU/ml, respectively. The mean +/- 1 SD concentration of AVP in patients with bacterial meningitis was 3.3 +/- 2.3 muU/ml. The concentrations of AVP in the patients with bacterial meningitis were significantly greater (P less than 0.001) than those noted in the normal children or children with other febrile diseases.