BiographyReilly was born at term, a healthy baby who was always smiley. However over time, Reilly failed to grow and thrive as he should and at 7 months we were directed by our health nurse to take him straight to the local emergency department as he was not meeting important milestones either. She arranged for a local paediatrician to meet us there. After some blood and urine tests, and watching Reilly do a massive pee, he transferred us to Princess Margaret Hospital, 2 hours away. Within the week, he had undergone a water deprivation test, and given the diagnosis of Nephrogenic Diabetes Inspidus - in short his kidneys don't respond to the hormone that regulates urine production, meaning he passes great quantities of very dilute urine.
With medication, a very low salt and low protein diet, plus free access to water and toilets, he is a very happy boy although he still gets frustrated that he is different to other kids in his class. Anything that can cause Reilly loss of fluids is dangerous to Reilly, such as too much sweating, any illness causing diarrhoea or vomiting, and of course he has regular blood tests to check electrolyte levels and visits to the renal specialist
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