Neurogenic diabetes insipidus (DI) due to hypoxic encephalopathy is reported in 6 cases and 28 pediatric cases in the literature are reviewed from the Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. The ages ranged from infancy to 18 years (mean 7 years), and the interval from the hypoxia to the onset of DI was a mean of 4 days. Two neonates survived but had developmental delay. The remaining 26 patients died. DI is a sign of severe brain damage, and this potential complication should be suspected in patients with polyuria and dehydration following hypoxic encephalopathy. [1]
COMMENT. Neurogenic diabetes insipidus may be caused by head trauma, meningitis, encephalitis, a complication of brain surgery, in addition to hypoxia. Fluid intake and output, plasma sodium, and urine specific gravity should be monitored in children following hypoxic/ischemic insults or in other critically ill brain injured patients.