Management of nocturnal enuresis with a vasopressin analogue

The effect of 20 micrograms. desaminocysteine-D-arginine vasopressin intranasally on childhood nocturnal enuresis was studied in a randomized double-blind cross-over series of 54 children. The wetting was significantly less frequent during the 2, 3-week periods on desaminocysteine-D-arginine vasopressin than during placebo periods, or during periods without any treatment. The effect of desaminocysteine-D-arginine vasopressin was reproducible and the efficacy of desaminocysteine-D-arginine vasopressin depended on the frequency of wetting before treatment. After discontinuation of the short treatment enuresis recurred immediately. No side effects were noted. We conclude that desaminocysteine-D-arginine vasopressin may well be used in the management of childhood enuresis, especially in situations when an immediate effect is desirable.