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Absent Thirst and Diabetes Insipidus

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Diabetes Insipidus in Children

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Abstract

Individuals with diabetes insipidus who have an absent thirst mechanism can be challenging to manage, and are at increased risk of sodium derangements compared with those who have intact thirst. While adipsia can be associated with multiple underlying causes of DI, it occurs most commonly in patients following pituitary surgery, particularly after craniopharyngioma removal. The diagnosis can typically be made based on historical questions or following an episode of hypernatremia without a reported increase in thirst from the patient. Management includes increased home monitoring of body weight, fluid intake and output, and more frequent laboratory sodium monitoring. While the use of handheld blood analyzers to monitor sodium levels at home is not FDA-approved or commonplace, this can be useful in patients who are otherwise difficult to manage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Karla F. Leavens

  2. Raymond A. Wood Foundation, Inc., Ocean City, MD, USA

    Amy Wood

Authors
  1. Karla F. Leavens
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  2. Amy Wood
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Correspondence to Karla F. Leavens .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Craig A. Alter

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Leavens, K.F., Wood, A. (2021). Absent Thirst and Diabetes Insipidus. In: Alter, C.A. (eds) Diabetes Insipidus in Children. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83248-3_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-83248-3_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-83247-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-83248-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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