Nocturnal enuresis: correction of renal function by desmopressin and diclofenac

Sixty-two children with nocturnal enuresis (43 boys, 19 girls aged 6-15 years) were treated with either desmopressin (Adiuretin-SD) (n=32) or sodium diclofenac (n=30). Desmopressin was effective in 85% of children and diclofenac in 33%. In children with primary nocturnal enuresis, the glomerular filtration rate was normal, whereas diuresis and solute excretion during the night were increased. Compared with healthy children, the nightly excretion of sodium was elevated by 43.7% and magnesium by 58.4%. A high correlation was found between the free water reabsorption and solute clearance (P<0.001) in children with nocturnal enuresis. Changes in kidney function in nocturnal enuresis appear to be due to a decrease in the water and ion reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop because of a changed regulation of ion transport in this part of the nephron. Administration of desmopressin or a decrease in prostaglandin production after diclofenac administration restores the ion and water transport in the kidney, which results in the disappearance of nocturnal enuresis. The results indicate a role of changes in regulation of ion transport in renal tubules in the pathogenesis of one of the forms of primary nocturnal enuresis.