Diabetes Insipidus in Children

Diabetes insipidus (DI) in children is an uncommon but clinically significant disorder of water homeostasis characterized by the excretion of large volumes of dilute urine and compensatory polydipsia. The condition arises from either insufficient secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the posterior pituitary or renal resistance to the action of ADH. Pediatric diabetes insipidus poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, particularly in infants and young children who are unable to regulate their fluid intake independently. If untreated, DI may lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, growth retardation, and neurodevelopmental impairment. This review provides a detailed discussion of the etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic strategies, differential diagnosis, treatment modalities, and long-term medical follow-up of diabetes insipidus in children.