Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6218577 | Journal of Pediatric Urology | 2013 | 4 Pages |
ObjectiveTo determine whether the adrenoceptor agonist, ephedrine hydrochloride, is an effective treatment for resistant non-neurogenic daytime urinary incontinence in children.MethodsFrom 2000 to 2010, eighteen children with resistant non-neurogenic daytime urinary incontinence were treated with oral ephedrine hydrochloride at our institution. Sixteen were female and two were male. Median age at treatment was 12 years (range 5-15 years). Two children had spina bifida occulta. There were no other co-morbidities. Multiple anticholinergics were prescribed and dose maximized to support a bladder and bowel training programme, without achieving continence in this resistant group of children. Pre-treatment urodynamics were normal in 10, but revealed an open bladder neck in 8 patients. None showed detrusor over-activity. Oral ephedrine hydrochloride was started at 7.5Â mg or 15Â mg twice daily and titrated up to a maximum of 30Â mg four times daily according to response.ResultsMedian follow-up was 7 years (range 6-8 years). Seventeen children (94%) reported improvement in symptoms and six (33%) achieved complete urinary continence. All patients maintained compliant bladders on post-treatment urodynamics. Seven of the 8 previously open bladder necks were closed. No patients reported any significant side effects. Patients with open bladder necks on pre-treatment urodynamics were more likely to show a full response to ephedrine (odds ratio 15; 95% CI 1.2-185.2).ConclusionsOral ephedrine hydrochloride is an effective treatment for carefully selected children with resistant non-neurogenic daytime urinary incontinence.