Oral versus nasal vasopressin in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis in 5-to 12-year-old children

Nocturnal enuresis is a common childhood problem and has various treatments. This study was carried out to compare oral and nasal vasopressin in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis in 5-to 12-year-old children who were referred to the Shahid Beheshti Clinic in 2008. This study included 100 children [62 males and 38 females] with nocturnal enuresis. One group [50 patients] received 20 mcg nasal vasopressin which increased up to 40 mcg, depending on the patients' response. The other group [50 patients] received 0.2 mg oral vasopressin which increased up to 0.4 mg. The patients were followed up for one month after response to the last dose of drug. Data were recorded in prepared forms and analyzed using Chi-Square and Fisher Test. The success rate with oral and nasal method was 80% and 92%, respectively [P=0.08]. Only 2% of the children had complications during the treatment; one child treated orally developed gastroenteritis and another child treated with the nasal method developed convulsions [P=1]. Sixteen percent of the children treated with the oral method and 28% of the children treated with the nasal method had recurrence [P=0.148]. Oral and nasal forms of vasopression have equal therapeutic effects. However, oral form of the treatment has fewer serious side effects and is easier to use. Therefore, the use of oral medicine is recommended

Changing in thyroid function test in children underwent antiepileptic therapy

To determine the changes in thyroid function tests in children who underwent antiepileptic therapy in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kashan, in 2008. This analytic-observational study was carried out in a cohort fashion without an external control group [self controlled] on 45 children with new onset epilepsy who had not been previously treated with antiepileptic medications. Three subjects were excluded from the study because of presenting clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism. Plasma levels of TSH, T3, FT3, T4 and FT4 hormones were measured and compared at baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment. The results of Mann- Whitney statistical analysis suggested that the increase in the plasma level of TSH was significantly only in the Sodium Valproate group. The plasma level of T3 significantly decreased 3 and 6 months after treatment in the Phenobarbital group while the plasma level of FT3 significantly decreased only in the Sodium Valproate group. The decrease in T4 plasma level was significant in all groups [Carbamazepine group, Sodium Valproate group and Phenobarbital group] 3 and 6 months after the onset of treatment but the decreasing in FT4 plasma level was only significant in the Carbamazepine group 6 months after the commencement of treatment. Phenobarbital had the least effect on thyroid hormones. Considering the effect of such medications on thyroid function tests, it seems necessary to check the plasma levels of hormones periodically after beginning the treatment