Copeptin levels in hospitalized infants and children with suspected vasopressin-dependent disorders: a case series

Abstract

Abstract Objectives There have been recent advances assessing copeptin levels in adults with suspected disorders of vasopressin release. Very limited data exits on copeptin levels in children and infants, especially in a critically-ill hospitalized population where hyper- and hypo-natremia are very common. Our objective is to describe the institutional experience assessing copeptin levels in hospitalized infants and children with hyper- or hypo-natremia. Methods We performed a single-center retrospective case series of all infants, children, and adolescents who had an ultrasensitive plasma copeptin level obtained between 2019-2021. Results A total of 29 critically ill patients (6 infants) were identified with 38 % of patients having copeptin levels after neurosurgical procedures for tumors or trauma. Approximately 13/17 children with hypernatremia had central diabetes insipidus (central diabetes insipidus) to diagnose CDI, A copeptin level ≤ 4.9 pmol/L resulted in an 88 % sensitivity (95 % CI 47–99 %), and 66 % specificity (95 % CI 30–93 %). Amongst those with hyponatremia levels were more variable, 8/12 children had syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) with copeptin levels ranging 4.7–72.6 pmol/L. Conclusions While difficult to conclude due to multiple limitations, this case series highlights that typical copeptin cutoffs used to diagnose DI in adults in an ambulatory setting may also translate to a critically-ill pediatric population. Large prospective studies are needed to confirm this observation. In addition, postoperative copeptin levels could potentially be utilized as an additional marker to predict permanent from transient DI, but much larger studies are needed. Further work is needed to establish normative copeptin levels in infants and patients with SIAD.