Hyponatremia and SARS-CoV-2 infection: A narrative review

A novel rapid spreading and changing virus called SARS-CoV-2 appeared in Wuhan city in December 2019. It was announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic disease in March 2020. It commonly presents with respiratory symptoms; however, it may be asymptomatic. Electrolyte abnormalities are not uncommon features of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hyponatremia is one of these electrolyte disturbances among SARS-CoV-2 patients, and it may produce symptoms such as weakness and seizure as the initial presenting symptoms. The underlying mechanism(s) of hyponatremia due to SARS-CoV-2 infection is (are) not established.

The aim of this review is to evaluate the possible mechanism of hyponatremia in patients with COVID-19. Understanding and categorizing the hyponatremia in these patients will lead to better treatment and correction of the hyponatremia.

A review of the literature between December 2019 and March 2022 was conducted searching for the possible reported mechanism(s) of hyponatremia in SARS-CoV-2.

Although SIADH is the commonly reported cause of hyponatremia in SARS-CoV-2 infection, other causes such as diarrhea, vomiting, and kidney salt loss must be considered before SIADH.

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Published in: Medicine
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
See article on publisher's website: https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000030061