Urologie pro praxi 4/2022

Pharmacotherapy of nocturnal enuresis in children

Nocturnal enuresis in children is classified as intermittent involuntary leakage of urine in a child older than 5 years. Most often it is a failure to wake up when the bladder is full. It may also be increased urine production due to insufficient nocturnal secretion of antidiuretic hormone. If bedwetting starts to occur due to psychological stress, it is a secondary enuresis. The nocturnal enuresis is a significant social handicap for the child and successful treatment leads to an increase in self-esteem and can prevent psychological problems. A comprehensive diagnosis is essential to rule out the possibility that it is a symptom of another disease. The mainstay of treatment is regimen measures, especially adjusting fluid intake during day and proper micturition. If these alone are not enough, an enuretic alarm and/or desmopressin can be tried. If the treatment with dessmoressin is unsuccessful, anticholinergics and possibly tricyclic antidepressants, especially imipramine, can be given.

Keywords: nocturnal enuresis, desmopressin, anticholinergics, imipramin.