title: Continuous infusion of vasopressin in comatose children with neurogenic diabetes insipidus.
abstract: Three comatose children with neurogenic diabetes insipidus were treated with intravenous infusion of vasopressin. The infusion of vasopressin was started at a dose of 1.3 to 2.7 mU/kg/h as soon as diabetes insipidus was diagnosed. The effect (urine flow < 2 ml/kg/h with increased specific gravity) was noted in 1 to 6 hours. The infusion rate of vasopressin was adjusted according to urine flow rate which was usually kept around 65 ml/100 kcal metabolized/day. Hypernatremia was corrected 17 to 53 hours after the initiation of infusion of vasopressin. The levels of sodium stayed between 127 and 151 mmol/l during a period of 2.5 to 22 days until the patients' death due to the termination of respiratory support or cardiac decompensation. A continuous infusion of vasopressin offered the advantage of rapid onset and termination of effect and therefore could be easily titrated. It seems a rational therapy for comatose children with neurogenic diabetes insipidus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: E Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: F Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shyur
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003128:Coma / Q000150:complications*; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004231:Diuresis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014667:Vasopressins; D012964:Sodium