Laboratory investigations of polyuria-polydipsia syndrome including screening and dynamic tests will be discussed.

Nick Russell^1
1Austin Health

Hyponatraemia is the most common electrolyte disorder managed in hospital inpatients. The most common cause is Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuresis (SIAD). Severe hyponatraemia (defined by symptoms) is a medical emergency, best managed with bolus hypertonic saline. Non-severe hyponatraemia due to SIAD is often managed with fluid restriction and close biochemical monitoring to prevent over-correction which risks the rare but severe complication of osmotic demyelination syndrome. Fluid restriction often fails as a treatment for hyponatraemia (or is predicted to fail based on biochemical parameters) and alternative therapies such as oral urea or tolvaptan may be given.

Tony Huynh^1,2,3

¹Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Queensland Children’s Hospital, South Brisbane QLD; ²Department of Chemical Pathology, Mater Pathology, South Brisbane QLD; ³Children’s Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD

 

The Harmonisation of Endocrine Dynamic Testing in Paediatrics (HEDT-Paeds) project complements the already published adult protocols.  

Laboratory investigations in children has unique and distinct challenges, and many dynamic endocrine are complex. 

There is a specific focus on safety and ensuring protocols are implemented appropriately.

This requires a certain degree of experience and expertise in centres undertaking this testing.