Diabetes insipidus and the use of desmopressin in hospitalised children.

There have been recent concerns raised about the hospital care of patients with diabetes insipidus and the morbidity and mortality associated with delay or omission of administration of desmopressin. This is a review of diabetes insipidus and desmopressin with a practical guide to management of these complex patients for the general paediatrician or intensive care physician caring for these children out of hours when access to specialist endocrinology may not be available.