What is diabetes insipidus?

Also known as: DI

Normally the kidneys filter salts/waste material and water, which will become urine, that flow to them via the bloodstream. Overall, water loss is reduced by the action of a hormone, known as an antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin, which acts on the kidneys and regulates the amount of water excreted so that the body’s water balance is maintained. ADH is secreted by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, stored in the pituitary gland in the brain and then released into the bloodstream.

Diabetes insipidus occurs when either too little ADH is produced due to damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. One form known as Central diabetes insipidus is from brain malformation, but some genetic diseases, tumors, trauma, inflammatory disease like encephalitis, meningitis, or other infections can be associated. In other cases, abnormalities in the kidneys prevents response to the ADH that reaches them. This form, known as Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, is from kidney disease, genetic disorders, some medications and high levels of calcium in the body. Sometimes, in both forms of DI no cause is found.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM