Features

• Diabetes insipidus is a cycle characterized by increased urine output, fluid intake and frequent thirst. Symptoms of this disorder include: frequent urination; nocturia (disruption of sleep due to the need to urinate) and enuresis (involuntary urination while sleeping).
  
  

Identification

• The urine of those suffering from diabetes insipidus is pale or colorless, as opposed to yellow, and has a low measured concentration.
  
  

Types

• The types of diabetes insipidus are: central or pituitary DI, which is caused by damage to the pituitary gland; nephrogenic DI, which arises when the kidneys cannot respond to antidiuretic hormone (ADH); dipsogenic DI, which results from damage to or a defect in the body's thirst mechanism; and gestational DI, a condition that only affects pregnant women whose ADH is destroyed by an enzyme produced in the placenta.
  
  

Effect on Children

• In addition to experiencing the expected symptoms, children suffering from diabetes insipidus may have diarrhea and vomiting or fever and may become irritable or lethargic.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Doctors are able to diagnose diabetes insipidus with the help of a fluid deprivation test and urinanalysis.