A child diagnosed with diabetes insipidus is typically treated with which medication?

A child diagnosed with diabetes insipidus is typically treated with which medication?

• A. Furosemide (Lasix)
• B. Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP)
• C. Propylthiouracil (PTU)
• D. Methimazole (Tapazole)

Answer: (B)

Diabetes insipidus involves insufficient ADH activity, so the treatment aims to replace that hormone to make the kidneys conserve water. Desmopressin acetate provides a synthetic ADH that acts on the kidneys to reabsorb water, reducing urine output and helping normalize thirst in central DI. It’s the standard therapy because it directly addresses the hormone deficiency causing the polyuria. The other options don’t target ADH signaling—furosemide would increase urine production, and the antithyroid drugs are used for thyroid disease, not DI. So desmopressin acetate is the best choice.

Diabetes insipidus involves insufficient ADH activity, so the treatment aims to replace that hormone to make the kidneys conserve water. Desmopressin acetate provides a synthetic ADH that acts on the kidneys to reabsorb water, reducing urine output and helping normalize thirst in central DI. It’s the standard therapy because it directly addresses the hormone deficiency causing the polyuria. The other options don’t target ADH signaling—furosemide would increase urine production, and the antithyroid drugs are used for thyroid disease, not DI. So desmopressin acetate is the best choice.