NOCTURNAL ENURESIS

Key words: Enuresis, Desmopressin, Behavioural therapy, Bladder training

Enuresis is a very frequent complaint: its prevalence is 10% in 6-year old children. Primary nocturnal enuresis is a multifactorial condition, where an unbalance between urine production and bladder functional capacity is associated with arousal problems. The diagnostic approach is mainly clinical and includes laboratory and instrumental investigations are necessary only when other day symptoms such as incontinence urgency, poliuria or dysuria. Treatment options include behavioural approaches (alarm systems and bladder training) and drugs. Behavioural treatment is usually effective and desmopressin can be associated to it or used to control enuresis in specific situations.