Clinical correlation between hypercalciuria and nocturnal enuresis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Urology

Background:

• Hypercalciuria, characterized by elevated urinary calcium levels, can manifest with symptoms like dysuria, urinary incontinence, and nocturnal enuresis (NE).
• Understanding the prevalence of hypercalciuria in children with NE is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of hypercalciuria in children experiencing NE.
• To compare the incidence of hypercalciuria in NE patients versus normally continent children.
• To assess the impact of hypercalciuria on the response to desmopressin therapy in NE patients.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 122 preschool children with NE and 110 continent children.
• Measurement of 24-hour urinary calcium levels.
• Comparison of desmopressin therapy response between hypercalciuric and normocalciuric NE patients.

Main Results:

• Hypercalciuria was found in 21.3% of NE patients, significantly higher than the 4.5% observed in continent children (P < 0.001).
• The mean 24-hour urine calcium/body weight ratio was higher in NE patients (3.04 ± 1.54) compared to controls (2.57 ± 0.9, P = 0.005).
• Desmopressin therapy demonstrated high success rates (83.3% in hypercalciuric, 90% in normocalciuric NE patients) with no significant alteration in hypercalciuria levels.

Conclusions:

• Hypercalciuria is significantly associated with nocturnal enuresis in preschool children.
• The presence of hypercalciuria does not impede the effectiveness of desmopressin treatment for NE.
• These findings suggest hypercalciuria should be considered in the evaluation of NE.