Dental fluorosis as a complication of hereditary diabetes insipidus: studies of six affected patients.

Hereditary diabetes insipidus is a rare endocrine disorder caused by a deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin. The disease is characterized by polyuria, extreme thirst, and polydipsia. In this study of six affected members from two families with hereditary diabetes insipidus, it was found that two children who drank water fluoridated at optimum levels developed moderate to severe fluorosis. By contrast, four other affected patients who did not consume fluoridated water showed normal dentitions. This report indicates that dental fluorosis may be an important complication of diabetes insipidus, and demonstrates the possibility that excessive consumption of optimally fluoridated water can lead to severe developmental enamel defects.