title: Diuretic treatment of nocturnal enuresis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nocturnal polyuria is considered a major pathogenetic factor in nocturnal enuresis, and the antidiuretic drug desmopressin, given at bed-time, is consequently recognized as a first-line treatment alternative. The aim of this open, non-randomized study was to see whether diuretic medication, given in the afternoon, could give similar therapeutic benefit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three children suffering from primary, monosymptomatic, nocturnal enuresis were included in the study by their primary care paediatrician. After 14 days without any treatment and 14 days for which 0.4 mg of desmopressin was given orally at bed-time, the children were given furosemide 1 mg/kg in the afternoon for 14 consecutive days. The numbers of wet and dry nights were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The numbers of wet nights at baseline, during desmopressin treatment and during furosemide treatment were 10.2+/-3.5, 6.4+/-4.6 and 8.2+/-4.5, respectively. Both drugs were significantly better than no treatment, but only a small proportion of patients became completely dry: 24% on desmopressin and 12% on furosemide. Desmopressin was significantly better than furosemide. Three children who showed no therapeutic effect on desmopressin treatment had a favourable response to furosemide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Furosemide, given in the afternoon, has minor therapeutic potential in nocturnal enuresis.
authors.affiliation: Uppsala University Children's Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. tryggve.neveus@kbh.uu.se
authors.forename: Tryggve
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nevéus
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nydahl-Persson
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Sverker
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hansson
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D050034:Antidiuretic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004775:Enuresis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005665:Furosemide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D050034:Antidiuretic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D005665:Furosemide; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin