Oral versus Nasal Vasopressin in the Treatment of Nocturnal Enuresis in 5- To 12-Year-Old Children

Objective

Nocturnal enuresis is a common childhood problem and has various treatments.

This study was carried out to compare oral and nasal vasopressin in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis in 5- to 12-year-old children who were referred to the Shahid Beheshti Clinic in 2008.

Materials & Methods

This study included 100 children (62 males and 38 females) with nocturnal enuresis. One group (50 patients) received 20 mcg nasal vasopressin which increased up to 40 mcg, depending on the patients' response. The other group (50 patients) received 0.2 mg oral vasopressin which increased up to 0.4 mg.

The patients were followed up for one month after response to the last dose of drug. Data were recorded in prepared forms and analyzed using Chi-Square and Fisher Test.

Results

The success rate with oral and nasal method was 80% and 92%, respectively (P=0.08). Only 2% of the children had complications during the treatment; one child treated orally developed gastroenteritis and another child treated with the nasal method developed convulsions (P=1). Sixteen percent of the children treated with the oral method and 28% of the children treated with the nasal method had recurrence (P=0.148).

Conclusion

Oral and nasal forms of vasopressin have equal therapeutic effects. However, oral form of the treatment has fewer serious side effects and is easier to use. Therefore, the use of oral medicine is recommended.