ORAL DESMOPRESSIN TREATMENT OF CENTRAL DIABETES-INSIPIDUS IN CHILDREN

To assess the efficacy of treatment with oral desmopressin (DDAVP), 20 patients, aged 5-20 y, with central diabetes insipidus were studied d uring 3 d of hospitalization and for 3 months at the outpatient clinic . At baseline the median rate of diuresis was 12.7 ml kg(-1) h(-1). Ur inary output decreased significantly under treatment with an increase in urinary osmolality, normalization of plasma osmolality and absence of nocturia. Patients were discharged from hospital with a median dose of 500 mu g d(-1) (100-1200 mu g d(-1)). An adjustment in dosage was necessary in seven patients during follow-up, resulting in a final dos e of 600 mu g d(-1). Body weight and DDAVP doses (r = 0.75, p = 0.001) and body surface and DDAVP doses (r = 0.72, p < 0.001) were significa ntly correlated. The average dosage was 474 +/- 222 mu g m(-2) d(-1) ( mean +/- SD). The oral DDAVP treatment remained effective during the 3 months of follow-up. This therapy offers an alternative for the treat ment of central diabetes insipidus in children.