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Nocturnal enuresis. Treatment options
1Children's Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
Insights
Bed-wetting alarms offer a cure for motivated children over 7, unlike temporary relief from desmopressin. Underlying causes are usually not found through investigations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Urology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Nocturnal enuresis (bed-wetting) is a prevalent childhood issue causing distress.
- Identifying underlying causes is uncommon; history is key.
- Current treatments offer limited long-term solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of alarm conditioning versus medication for childhood bed-wetting.
- To provide guidance on managing persistent nocturnal enuresis.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical data and treatment outcomes.
- Analysis of alarm conditioning device effectiveness.
- Assessment of intranasal desmopressin acetate efficacy.
Main Results:
- Alarm conditioning can cure bed-wetting in motivated children over 7 years old.
- Intranasal desmopressin acetate provides only temporary relief.
- Diagnostic investigations are rarely fruitful for identifying causes.
Conclusions:
- Alarm conditioning is a viable and potentially curative treatment for motivated children.
- Desmopressin acetate serves as a short-term management option.
- A history-based approach is recommended for assessing bed-wetting causes.
Abstract:
Bed-wetting is a common and disturbing problem for children and their families. Underlying causes are rarely found and should be suspected from the history rather than from investigations. Children older than 7 years can usually be cured if they are motivated enough to use an alarm conditioning device. Intranasal desmopressin acetate, the current drug of choice, will produce only temporary relief.
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