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Initial Evaluation of Polydipsia and Polyuria

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Endocrine Conditions in Pediatrics

Abstract

Polydipsia and polyuria can be frequent complaints in a pediatrician’s office. Eliciting a detailed history of greater than 2 L/m2/day of fluid intake or urinary output is a critical first step in the diagnostic evaluation and can help to exclude other common pediatric complaints such as dehydration, urinary tract infections, and behavioral etiologies. The most common endocrine conditions associated with polydipsia and polyuria are diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Here we review key elements of the history, physical examination, and basic laboratory evaluation to guide a general pediatrician in the initial diagnosis and management of these conditions until the child can be evaluated by a pediatric endocrinologist.

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Correspondence to Brynn E. Marks .

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Marks, B.E. (2021). Initial Evaluation of Polydipsia and Polyuria. In: Stanley, T., Misra, M. (eds) Endocrine Conditions in Pediatrics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52215-5_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-52215-5_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-52214-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-52215-5

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