Failure of desmopressin to lower serum sodium or prevent crisis in patients with sickle cell anemia.

An analogue of arginine vasopressin (desmopressin, DDAVP) was evaluated for production chronic hyponatremia and prevention of sickle cell crisis. With sodium restriction (100 meq Na + / day) and water loading ( greater than 3 liters/day), persistent hyponatremia could not be achieved, nor could crises be prevented or aborted. Patients would not comply with a regimen of lower salt and higher fluid intake. More rigorous treatment might be practical during acute sickle cell crises, and a regimen similar to that used here might be more effective in children, whose renal concentrating mechanisms are still intact.