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Nocturnal enuresis: what is happening?
1Department of General Paediatrics, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|March 21, 2000
Summary
Primary nocturnal enuresis, or bedwetting at night, affects many children and has psychological impacts. Treatment options include bedwetting alarms and desmopressin nasal spray, while imipramine is falling out of favor.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Urology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Primary nocturnal enuresis is a common childhood condition with significant psychological effects.
- It has a familial tendency and complex inheritance.
- Pathophysiology involves poor arousal, nocturia from reduced vasopressin, and decreased bladder capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology and treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis.
- To highlight the role of bedwetting alarms and desmopressin.
- To discuss the declining use of imipramine.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of primary nocturnal enuresis.
- Discussion of current treatment modalities.
- Analysis of treatment efficacy and safety.
Main Results:
- Bedwetting alarms are the primary treatment.
- Desmopressin nasal spray is effective for short-term and medium-term use, especially in alarm-resistant cases.
- Imipramine use is decreasing due to high relapse rates and overdose risks.
Conclusions:
- Primary nocturnal enuresis requires a multifaceted understanding of its causes.
- Desmopressin offers a valuable therapeutic option, often alongside alarms.
- Safer and more effective treatments are preferred over imipramine.