Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH)

What causes SIADH?

SIADH tends to occur in people with heart failure, or in people with a diseased hypothalamus (the part of the brain that works directly with the pituitary gland to produce hormones).

In other cases, a certain cancer (elsewhere in the body, often in the lungs) may produce the antidiuretic hormone. SIADH may also be caused by:

• meningitis - inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
• encephalitis - inflammation of the brain
• brain tumors
• psychosis
• other lung diseases
• head trauma
• Guillain-Barri syndrome (GBS) - a reversible condition that affects the nerves in the body
• damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland during surgery

What are the symptoms of SIADH?

While each child may experience symptoms differently, in more severe cases of SIADH, symptoms may include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• irritability
• personality changes, such as combativeness, confusion, and hallucinations
• seizures
• stupor
• coma

The symptoms of SIADH may resemble other problems or medical conditions.