NOCTURNAL ENURESIS - A GUIDE TO EVALUATION AND TREATMENT

Nocturnal enuresis has several possible causes, including genetic inhe ritance, reduced bladder capacity, sleep disorders, abnormal secretion of antidiuretic hormone, psychologic abnormalities, neurologic dysfun ction, bacteriuria, and diet, A thorough assessment of the patient's v oiding history is of major importance in the management of nocturnal e nuresis, Whether the patient has monosymptomatic or polysymptomatic no cturnal enuresis must be determined, Treatment options include pharmac otherapy, behavioral modification with an alarm system, or a combinati on of these modalities, In order for treatment to be successful, the p hysician, patient, and patient's parents must be involved in the decis ion-making process.