Core Pathophysiology

Mechanism Definitions

  • SIADH: Inappropriate excess arginine vasopressin (AVP) action; impaired renal free water clearance.
  • Cerebral Salt Wasting (CSW): Primary hypersecretion of natriuretic peptides causing excessive renal sodium excretion.
  • Central Diabetes Insipidus (DI): Deficient AVP production causing unregulated renal free water loss.
  • Systemic Dehydration: Primary systemic fluid and salt loss inducing hypovolemia.
  • Primary Polydipsia: Compulsive, excessive water intake causing physiological AVP suppression.

Comparative Clinical and Biochemical Parameters

ParameterSIADHCerebral Salt Wasting (CSW)Central DISystemic DehydrationPrimary Polydipsia
Intravascular VolumeNormal or HighLow (Hypovolemia)LowLowNormal or High
Serum SodiumLow (<135 mEq/L)Low (<135 mEq/L)High (>145 mEq/L)High/NormalNormal/Low
Urine SodiumHighVery High (>150 mEq/L)LowLow (<20 mEq/L)Normal
Urine OutputNormal or LowHighHighLowHigh
Blood PressureNormalDecreased/OrthostaticDecreased/OrthostaticDecreasedNormal
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)LowHighHighHighNormal/Low
Serum Uric AcidLowNormal or HighHighHighNormal
Vasopressin (AVP) LevelHighLow (Suppressed)LowHighLow