Diabetes insipidus is a syndrome characterized by polyuria, thirst and polydipsia triggered by plasma hyperosmolarity.
In adults, the urine volume exceeds 2.5 L per 24 hours (>40 mL/kg per 24 hours), while in children the output is greater (>100mL/kg per 24 hours).
The term diabetes insipidus is derived from the Greek ‘diabainein’ meaning to pass through and from Latin ‘insipidus’ meaning tasteless.
Diabetes insipidus is confirmed in polyuric patients by the demonstration of insignificant antidiuresis or by the production of hypertonic urine following water restriction or hypertonic saline infusions.
Diabetes insipidus has multiple causes. It is usually due to a tumor (craniopharyngioma, lymphoma, pituitary tumor) or to an infiltrative, inflammatory or infectious process affecting the hyphothalamic-pituitary axis. Some experts believe diabetes insipidus may form of autoimmune disorder.
Diabetes insipidus may be also an inherited disease. Hereditary forms of diabetes insipidus are called familial neurohypophysial diabetes insipidus.
Diabetes insipidus can be divided into four different types pituitary, central, neurogenic or neurohypophyseal.
It may occur abruptly in individuals of any age, although it is more common among adults.
What is diabetes insipidus?
