Intranasal DDAVP test in children.

The intranasal DDAVP (1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin) test is a safe and feasible method for the study of renal concentrating ability in children. This study describes a simplification of the test. Sixty randomly selected children were tested for urine osmolality at different hours after intranasal administration of DDAVP. No fluid restriction was prescribed. Optimal concentrating ability was attained after 3 and 5 hours. Without impairing the validity of the DDAVP test, it can be performed in a simpler way than previously recommended.