A Mutation in the Vasopressin V2-Receptor Gene in a Kindred with X-Linked Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Abstract
Hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is a rare, X-linked disorder manifested by an inability to concentrate the urine despite high plasma concentrations of arginine vasopressin or the administration of large doses of vasopressin or its analogues1,2. Affected males have profound hyposmotic polyuria soon after birth, often leading to recurrent episodes of severe dehydration. Unless recognized and treated early, these episodes may lead to failure to thrive, growth retardation, repeated bouts of cerebral edema with resultant mental retardation, or death. Females who are carriers of the gene for the disease have symptoms that range from a defective urinary-concentrating ability demonstrable only on provocative testing to polyuria nearly as severe as that in affected male subjects.