From the Research
Central diabetes insipidus (DI) primarily presents with excessive urination (polyuria) and extreme thirst (polydipsia), as a result of the brain's inability to produce adequate amounts of antidiuretic hormone (ADH, also called vasopressin) 1. The symptoms of central diabetes insipidus can be severe and include:
- Excessive urination, often producing large volumes of dilute urine, up to 3-20 liters per day
- Extreme thirst, leading to drinking large amounts of water
- Nocturia, or waking up at night to urinate
- Dehydration signs, such as dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches
- In severe cases, confusion, muscle weakness, or even seizures if dehydration becomes significant
- In children, irritability, poor feeding, growth delays, or unexplained fevers may be present
These symptoms occur because the brain fails to produce sufficient ADH, which normally signals the kidneys to conserve water, leading to excessive water loss 2. The onset of symptoms can be sudden, especially when caused by head trauma, surgery, or tumors affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, and may worsen during situations that increase fluid loss, such as hot weather or exercise 3. It is essential to diagnose and manage central diabetes insipidus properly to prevent life-threatening complications, and treatment with desmopressin, a synthetic analogue of ADH, is often effective in managing the condition 4.