Low-dose DDAVP in nocturnal enuresis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Urology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Nocturnal enuresis is a common condition affecting children.
• Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is a vasopressin analogue used for treatment.
• Optimal dosing strategies for DDAVP in pediatric enuresis require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and dosing of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) in a cohort of 59 children with nocturnal enuresis.
• To determine the effective dosage range of DDAVP for achieving improvement or resolution of bedwetting.
• To report on a five-year clinical experience with DDAVP treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 59 children treated with desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) for nocturnal enuresis over five years.
• Dose titration starting at 5 micrograms of DDAVP at bedtime.
• Assessment of treatment response based on improvement or resolution of bedwetting.

Main Results:

• Eighty-one percent of patients achieved improvement or resolution of nocturnal enuresis.
• The majority of responders (81%) required 10 micrograms or less of DDAVP at bedtime.
• The initial starting dose of 5 micrograms was lower than previously reported, with effective outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is an effective treatment for nocturnal enuresis in children.
• Lower starting doses of DDAVP (5 micrograms) are often sufficient, with 10 micrograms or less being effective for most patients.
• This five-year experience supports the use of DDAVP with a careful dose titration approach for pediatric nocturnal enuresis.