The Role of Family History in Predicting Response to Desmopressin in Nocturnal Enuresis

The response to desmopressin in 71 children with nocturnal enuresis was evaluated to determine whether a family history of nocturnal enuresis could be helpful in predicting which patients would respond. The overall response rate to desmopressin (53 of 71 patients, 75%) was comparable to previous studies. A poor response was associated with a negative family history of nocturnal enuresis (1 of 14 patients, 7%), whereas the response in those with a positive family history was excellent (52 of 57 patients, 91%). We conclude from this preliminary retrospective study that a high rate of success may be predicted when desmopressin is used in patients with familial nocturnal enuresis, whereas less optimism is warranted when no family history of nocturnal enuresis can be elicited. This observation should be validated in a larger, prospective clinical study.