Metabolism studies in a case of diabetes insipidus,in a four-year-old boy

For a period of nine days we have studied, in a boy suffering from diabetes insipidus, the nitrogen metabolism and urinary nitrogen partition; the sulphur metabolism and urinary sulphur partition; the calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous metabolism, the chloride metabolism and the fluid intake and output.

The studies were carried out on low and high protein diets and on low and high sodium chloride diets. In some respects the condition seemed to be due to a defect of the kidney to secrete a concentrated urine; in other respects this was not so.