Desmopressin response of enuretic children. Effects of age and frequency of enuresis

Abstract

To characterize the children with enuresis likely to respond to desmopressin acetate, we performed a double-blind crossover study that included the use of a placebo. During the two weeks of desmopressin administration, six children (12%) had 13 or 14 dry nights, and 15 children (29%) had eight to 12 dry nights. Among the 17 children aged 9 years or older, with four to seven dry nights during the two-week baseline period, 12 children (71%) responded to desmopressin (eight to 14 dry nights). In contrast, none of the 15 children younger than 9 years of age with fewer than three dry nights before therapy responded. During the posttreatment period, only four of the 21 drug responders reported a persistent effect. Desmopressin may be effective in reducing the frequency of enuresis, especially in children older than 9 years of age without nightly enuresis.