[ADH-deficient diabetes insipidus in children. A study of 93 cases (author's transl)]

Ninety three cases of diabetes insipidus are reviewed after 1 to 20 years follow-up. A codified water deprivation test realized in 50 cases revealed 31 severe cases and 19 partial forms. Apart from surgical causes of diabetes insipidus (16%), tumors represent the most frequent etiology (33.5%), essentially craniopharyngiomas and pinealomas. Histiocytosis X (16%) is also an important cause. In one third no cause could be found. Decreased secretion of anterior pituitary hormones is very common in association with surgical and tumoral causes and can also be found in idiopathic forms. Thus, in our experience, detection of a pituitary deficit is not necessarily associated with a tumor. It can be pointed out that when an etiology is found it is always discovered during the four years following the onset of diabetes insipidus. This implies that very careful neurological and neuroradiological follow-up is necessary during this period.