[Primary enuresis in children. Which treatment today?]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Urology
• Sleep Medicine
• Complementary Medicine

Background:

• Enuresis affects 15-30% of school-aged children, often as monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.
• The multifactorial pathophysiology includes genetic, psychological, sleep, and urinary factors, making treatment controversial.
• Current treatments like behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy yield variable results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Desmopressin (DDAVP) and acupuncture in treating pediatric enuresis.
• To compare short-term and long-term success rates of DDAVP and acupuncture.
• To discuss the pathophysiology of enuresis and the importance of patient selection.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 54 enuretic children treated over one year.
• Assessment of treatment effectiveness based on the reduction in wet nights per week.
• Evaluation of short-term and long-term success rates for DDAVP and acupuncture therapies.

Main Results:

• DDAVP reduced wet nights by 79% in the short term.
• Acupuncture yielded good results in 55% of treated patients.
• Long-term success rates were 50% for DDAVP and 40% for acupuncture.

Conclusions:

• DDAVP and acupuncture are effective treatment options for pediatric enuresis.
• Accurate patient selection and understanding pathophysiology are crucial for successful enuresis management.
• Further research into the multifactorial causes of enuresis is warranted.