[Effect of imipramine hydrochloride on urinary function and serum parameters in enuretic children: preliminary study].

We still do not know whether Imipramine works exactly as an antidiuretic. The aim of this study was to investigate any existing urinary or serum factor differences between 9 children with primary nocturnal enuresis and six age and sex matched controls and to see if therapy with Imipramine could modify these parameters. All subjects underwent an evaluation of daily and nightly urinary volume, daily fluid intake, morning plasma and urine osmolality, plasma aldosterone, electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen and plasma glucose. The results, using a one-way ANOVA, would suggest the following: 1) enuretic children have a higher 24 urinary volume with a reduced osmolality compared to controls; 2) Aldosterone does not seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of enuresis; 3) Imipramine HCL therapy does reduce the volume of urine lost in diapers, and its efficiency can be documented objectively; 4) Imipramine HCL's mechanism appears to be related to an increased renal water resorption.