EC Paediatrics

class="13-OS-Keywords-content" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;">Background: Primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) refers to an involuntary loss of urine during sleep in patients who have never achieved a sustained period of dryness. The natural history of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE), commonly known as bedwetting, typically involves a gradual improvement over time. Studies have shown that the condition resolves spontaneously at a rate of approximately 15% each year as the child grows. However, about 1% of individuals may continue to experience PNE into adulthood. This spontaneous resolution is thought to be due to the maturation of the nervous system, increased bladder capacity, and the development of better bladder control during sleep. Although there is a high rate of spontaneous remission of PNE, the social, emotional and psychological costs can be great, particularly among school children. Acupuncture is believed to normalize bladder function by invigorating the kidney, spleen and brain, calming the mind, vital energy, blood and increase functional bladder capacity.

Aims and Objectives: The study aims to assess the response to acupuncture treatment in patients who showed no response to behavioral and pharmacological therapy.

Patients and Methods: This study included 50 children and adolescents with persistent primary nocturnal enuresis who attended the Pediatrics and Urology Outpatient Clinics in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt who failed to improve with the behavioral and pharmacological therapy. Fifty patients were divided into two groups: one group of 25 patients received acupuncture treatment, while the other group of 25 received placebo acupuncture.

Results: Patients who received placebo acupuncture showed no response. Among the (25) patients who received acupuncture, 84 % (21/25) showed a complete response, 8 % (2/25) showed a partial response, and 8% (2/25) showed no response (after completing 2 courses of acupuncture).

Conclusion: Traditional Chinese acupuncture is a viable alternative for treating patients with persistent PNE. It has a high success rate, a low relapse rate, and is more safer than pharmacological therapy with no side effects.

Keywords: Enuresis; Acupuncture; PNE; Moxibustion

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