In central diabetes insipidus, the body makes too much pee because it doesn't produce enough of a hormone called antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Kids with central diabetes insipidus (in-SIP-uh-dus) feel very thirsty and drink lots of liquids to replace the fluids they lose from peeing.

Medicine can replace the missing ADH and help the body make normal amounts of pee.

Use these instructions to care for your child at home.

• Give your child any prescribed medicines as directed. Your child may need to get blood tests when first starting on the medicine to make sure it's the right dose.
• Have your child drink at every meal and whenever thirsty. Make sure they always have access to drinking water.
• Follow your health care provider's advice on whether your child needs to make any diet changes and/or see a dietitian.
• For babies, ask your health care provider if you should feed your baby more often or add water to formula or breast milk.
• Go to all visits with your child's health care provider.

Your child:

• is drinking more or less than normal
• wakes often at night to pee
• has low energy and is more tired than usual
• is vomiting (throwing up)

Your child:

• has a seizure
• is very sleepy or hard to wake up
• has a severe headache
• is confused
• has signs of dehydration such as peeing less often (or for babies, having fewer wet diapers), a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes (or sunken soft spot on a baby's head), or crying with few or no tears

What causes central diabetes insipidus? The cause of diabetes insipidus isn't always known. It can happen because of a tumor, trauma, or a problem that happens during surgery.

Is central diabetes insipidus the same as diabetes mellitus? No. Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) includes type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus both make children pee often and get thirsty easily. But children with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have high blood sugar. Children with diabetes insipidus have normal blood sugar levels.