High and dry--low and wet: the key to DI and SIADH.

The pediatric critical care nurse is often faced with children who have underlying neurologic problems. Anticipating the occurrence of diabetes insipidus (DI) and syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) in these children is essential. There is much confusion, however, surrounding recognition and management of these distinctly different although related problems. The key to differentiating these clinical entities may be found in the simple statement, high and dry; low and wet.