Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Detrusor Underactivity Model in Rats by Conus Medullaris Transection
Published on: August 28, 2020
Decreased nocturnal urinary antidiuretic hormone excretion in enuresis is increased by imipramine
P A Tomasi1, S Siracusano, A M Monni
1Università di Sassari, Istituto di Patologia Speciale Medica, Italy. tomasi@uniss.it
Insights
Children with enuresis show lower nocturnal antidiuretic hormone (ADH) excretion. Imipramine treatment normalized ADH levels and improved biochemical markers in enuretic children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Urology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Nocturnal antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion plays a role in regulating urine production.
- Enuresis, or bedwetting, is a common condition in children with complex underlying mechanisms.
- Understanding ADH secretion patterns is crucial for effective enuresis management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of integrated nocturnal antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion in children experiencing enuresis.
- To evaluate the impact of imipramine treatment on nocturnal ADH secretion and related biochemical parameters in enuretic children.
Main Methods:
- Measured morning plasma ADH and nocturnal urinary ADH concentrations in 18 enuretic children and 21 controls.
- Assessed diurnal and nocturnal urine production, plasma and urinary osmolality.
- Repeated assessments after 14 days of 20 mg/night oral imipramine hydrochloride treatment.
Main Results:
- Enuretic children exhibited significantly lower nocturnal urinary ADH integrated concentrations compared to controls.
- Imipramine treatment led to a significant increase in plasma ADH levels and nocturnal urinary ADH concentrations.
- Treatment with imipramine also resulted in decreased morning plasma osmolality and reduced 24-hour fluid intake.
Conclusions:
- Enuretic children demonstrate reduced nocturnal antidiuretic hormone (ADH) excretion.
- Imipramine effectively restores nocturnal ADH excretion and elevates morning plasma ADH levels.
- Imipramine treatment induces consistent beneficial changes in other biochemical variables related to enuresis.
Objective:
To assess the role of integrated nocturnal antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion in children with enuresis, and possible modifications induced by treatment with imipramine.
Patients And Methods:
The morning plasma ADH and nocturnal urinary ADH integrated concentrations were measured in 18 consecutive enuretic children (patients) and 21 age- and sex-matched controls admitted for minor treatment. Diurnal and nocturnal urine production, and plasma and urinary osmolality were also determined; lumbosacral radiography and uroflowmetry were undertaken in the patients. The assessments were repeated after 14 days of treatment with imipramine hydrochloride (orally, 20 mg/night).
Results:
Half the patients had occult spinal malformations but the uroflowmetry results were all within the normal range. The median (95% confidence interval, CI) urinary ADH integrated concentrations were markedly lower in patients, at 29.7 (22.1-37.3) vs 63.0 (35.1-90.8) pg/mL/h (P = 0.03) than in controls. Plasma ADH levels were significantly increased by imipramine (0.64 to 1.47 pg/mL, 95% CI, 0.40-0.89 vs -0.26-3.2; P < 0.001), as were nocturnal urinary ADH integrated concentrations, at 29.7 (22.1-37.3) vs 59.0 (37.3-80.6) pg/mL/h (P < 0.001), and morning plasma osmolality decreased, from 298.5 (294.5-302.5) to 294.9 (292.4-297.3) mosmol/kg (P = 0.003), as was the 24-h fluid intake, from 983 (721-1245) to 666 (435-897) mL (P = 0.004).
Conclusions:
We conclude that enuretic children have a lower nocturnal ADH excretion; imipramine restores nocturnal ADH excretion, increases morning plasma ADH levels, and causes consistent changes in other biochemical variables.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Insipidus II: Pathophysiology
The Micturition Reflex
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
Diabetes Insipidus I: Introduction
Physiology of the Genitourinary System III: Urine Concentration and Dilution
Antihypertensive Drugs: Thiazide-Class Diuretics
Regulation of Water Output