Small renal size in newborns with spina bifida: possible causes.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported that children with neural tube defects, but without any history of intrinsic renal diseases, have small kidneys when compared with age-matched standard renal growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible causes of small renal size in children with spina bifida by comparing growth hormone deficiency, physical limitations and hyperhomocysteinemia. METHODS: The sample included 187 newborns with spina bifida. Renal sizes in the patients were assessed by using maximum measurement of renal length and the measurements were compared by using the Sutherland monogram. According to the results, the sample was divided into two groups--a group of 120 patients with small kidneys (under the third percentile) and a control group of 67 newborns with normal kidney size. Plasma total homocysteine was investigated in mothers and in their children. Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels were measured. RESULTS: Serum IGF-1 levels were normal in both groups. Children and mothers with homocysteine levels >10 µmol/l were more than twice as likely to have small kidneys and to give to birth children with small kidneys, respectively, compared with newborns and mothers with homocysteine levels <10 µmol/l. An inverse correlation was also found between the homocysteine levels of mothers and kidney sizes of children (r = - 0.6109 P ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It is highly important for mothers with hyperhomocysteinemia to be educated about benefits of folate supplementation in order to reduce the risk of small renal size and lower renal function in children.

Desmopressin and oxybutynin in monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and an assessment of predictive factors.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of desmopressin plus oxybutynin and compare two starting dosages of desmopressin (120 and 240 µg) in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial for children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) resistant to desmopressin. The predictive factors of children with MNE responsive to desmopressin and combination therapy were also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our sample included 206 patients aged between 6 and 13 (mean age 10.6 ± 2.9 years), 117 males. All patients were required to have MNE. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the first group was given oral melt 120 µg and the second group 240 µg, for 2 weeks. All patients who had experienced failure of treatment with sublingually administered desmopressin alone were given either desmopressin plus 5 mg oxybutynin or desmopressin plus placebo in a randomized, double-blinded trial for 4 weeks. As predictive factors, bladder volume and wall thickness index, nocturnal polyuria and voiding latency were considered. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the 120 µg and 240 µg patients in terms of response. The oxybutynin group showed a higher rate of full and partial responses (45% success) compared with the placebo group (17% success), P < 0.01. The responders to combined oxybutynin and desmopressin had significantly lower bladder volume and wall thickness index than the other patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight that anticholinergic agents may play an important role for a subset of children with enuresis who have a restricted bladder capacity and thickened bladder wall. Ultrasonography-measured bladder variables can provide useful predictive clues for MNE. Predictive factors can help to differentiate treatment subtypes and guide clinical management in primary nocturnal enuresis.

Ultrasonographic bladder measurements can replace urodynamic study for the diagnosis of non-monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare urodynamic (UD) and ultrasonography (US)-based measurements for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with non-monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis (NMPNE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 455 enuretic children (282 boys and 173 girls, mean age 9.58 years) with daytime voiding symptoms and with more than one void per night. In healthy children the upper limits for US-measured bladder wall thickness are 3 and 5 mm for a full or empty bladder, respectively. In 419 children the results showed urodynamic signs of an overactive bladder (OAB) and the US-measured bladder wall was thickened. After 6 months of antimuscarinic treatment, we re-assessed the children with US and UD; the relation between UD and US measurements was confirmed. After analysing these data, we considered the use of a new diagnostic assessment for patients with NMPNE. In children with a significant US measurement, i.e. a bladder wall with a thickness of >3 mm (full bladder) and >5 mm (empty bladder), the diagnostic assessment was concluded and therapy was started. We restricted the UD examination exclusively to those patients who either had severe intractable symptoms or did not respond to treatment. This new management was applied to 453 patients with NMPNE. After the first 6 months of therapy all the patients were assessed with a new US study. RESULTS: In all, 343 patients (75.7%) were full-responders, with a normal bladder wall thickness; 82 (18.1%) were partial responders but with no normalization of bladder wall thickness; only 28 (6.2%) were classified as nonresponders with a persistent thickened bladder wall. CONCLUSIONS: We favour a more conservative management: the UD study should be limited to the very few patients who either have severe intractable symptoms or do not respond to treatment. In our experience, the US study, which is not invasive, is useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of NMPNE and it is preferable to the UD study, which is invasive and often traumatic for children.

Correlations between enuresis in children and nocturia in mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a relationship between enuresis and nocturia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study investigated 250 mothers (average age 34.6 +/- 3.3 years) whose children attended the Department of Pediatrics of the Second University of Naples because they suffered from enuresis. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaire and personal interview. All women provided written informed consent with guarantees of confidentiality. Both the presence of nocturia in adulthood and enuresis in childhood were taken into account. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of nocturia was 38% (n = 95). There was a history of childhood bedwetting in eight mothers (5%) without nocturia and in 61 mothers (65%) with nocturia; the difference was significant (chi(2) p < 0.01). Moreover, among the 110 enuretic children of nocturic mothers, 69 (62%) suffered from non-monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE), and 34 (56%) of their mothers suffered from NMNE in childhood. Nocturic mothers suffering from non-monosymptomatic enuresis during their childhood had offspring with a higher risk of developing non-monosymptomatic enuresis (odds ratio 4.3 95%, confidence interval 2.6-7.1, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings enabled a close connection between nocturia in adulthood and enuresis in childhood to be hypothesized. Furthermore, this analysis provided evidence of the link between suffering from nocturia, and previously from enuresis, and having children affected by enuresis.

Toll-free telephone medical information on nocturnal enuresis: the first Italian experience over a two-year period.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to promote, through this toll-free number (TFN) service, a health communication program providing information on nocturnal enuresis (NE) and related problems by a subspecialty-trained physician and to collect the callers' characteristics too. All phone calls were scheduled to data collections. METHODS: The telephone service operated as follows: the TFN was available from March 1 to May 31, 2000, and from April 1 to June 30, 2001. People called the free telephone line and received information needs. RESULTS: A total of 12,806 calls were received by the help line during the two study periods (7,046 in 2000 and 5,760 in 2001). Of the calls, 61% came from subjects with NE without pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment, 16% (2000) and 13% (2001) came from subjects >12 years old. CONCLUSIONS: A TFN for NE can be both accessible and effective in order to provide information on NE and related problems. Finally, such a service should be included in a national program to improve health and well-being.

Influenza vaccination: opinions of health care professionals working in pediatric emergency departments.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine coverage of health care professionals against influenza is still low in Italy, as well as in other European countries. METHODS: Between March and May 2018, this study was performed to collect the opinions of Pediatric health care professionals, working in emergency departments, regarding the efficacy and safety of the influenza vaccine. An anonymous online survey was employed to evaluate socio-demographic and professional characteristics, knowledges, beliefs and attitudes. RESULTS: Five hundred four health care professionals completed the survey: 331 physicians, 140 nurses and 33 other health are professionals. During the 2017-18 season, 55.8% of physicians, 19.3% of nurses and 12.1% of other health care professionals had vaccinated against the influenza virus. Not vaccinated physicians and nurses with less than 40 years of age were fewer than not vaccinated physicians and nurses with more than 40 years of age. Nurses and other health care professionals were less trustworthy of the influenza vaccination, less aware of the possibility of contracting and transmitting influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient adherence to the influenza vaccination in physicians, nurses and other health care professionals is a concern for those assisting high-risk patients, especially in emergency departments. Therefore, it is vital to promote education of health care professionals and students regarding vaccinations. High vaccine coverage should be embedded in the safe hospital paradigm and should become a goal for the hospital's directors.

Desmopressin acetate for enuresis and diabetes insipidus.

Desmopressin is a synthetic agonist of the natural pituitary hormone vasopressin acetate, with enhanced antidiuretic properties. In fact, owing to its selectivity for the V2 receptor, it has a greater antidiuretic activity, but lower pressure effects compared with natural antidiuretic hormone. Desmopressin is used in the diagnosis and treatment of cranial diabetes insipidus, in the treatment of monosymptomatic enuresis and for tests of renal function.

Desmopressin is a safe drug for the treatment of enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the safety of desmopressin treatment and its associated side-effects in a large number of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Italian Club for Nocturnal Enuresis, whose criteria are: age >5 years; absence of malformations and infections of the urinary tract; absence of psychological disorders or neurological alterations; number of "wet nights" >5-7; control of liquid intake during the afternoon and evening; monitoring of serum electrolytes before beginning treatment; control of body weight before the beginning of treatment and during the first 4-5 days of therapy; and the informed consent of the parents. The therapeutic regimen provided for a maximum dose of desmopressin of 40 microg/day (four puffs/nostril or two tablets), starting from an initial dosage of 20 microg/day (two puffs/nostril or one tablet) 1 h before going to bed. The study involved two groups of patients with monosymptomatic enuresis: some of them had been administered desmopressin in the form of a spray and others in the form of tablets. RESULTS: A small percentage of patients presented mild, transient side-effects; in no case were severe side-effects verified. CONCLUSION: Desmopressin is a safe drug with a low incidence of side-effects.

Plasma antidiuretic hormone levels in children with spina bifida.

PURPOSE: Urological management of spina bifida patients is controversial. The goals of therapy of neurogenic bladder are continence, prevention of infections and preservation of urinary tract. Desmopressin has been recently used in a spina bifida population that is dry during the day (daytime continence was achieved with clean intermittent catheterization and anticholinergics) but wet at night. The aim of this study was to assess plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels in these children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 24 patients, 11 males and 13 females (mean age 6.4 years) referred to the Spina Bifida Centre of the Catholic University of Rome, and 57 normal age-matched controls. Morning (07.30-08.00 h) plasma ADH levels were measured using a specific radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Plasma ADH levels (normal range 5-11 microg/l) did not differ between spina bifida population and healthy controls. Serum ADH had a mean of 6.8 microg/l in affected children and a mean of 7.4 microg/l in the controls. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of desmopressin in children with spina bifida should be reserved only in patients with decreased secretion of ADH, or may be useful in patients with persistent nocturnal incontinence to reduce night wetting. Therefore, research with a larger population is needed.