Central nervous system ischemia after varicella infection and desmopressin therapy for enuresis

A 7-year-old boy had a left-sided cerebrovascular accident 48 hours after beginning intranasal desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) therapy for persistent secondary nocturnal enuresis and approximately 2 weeks after varicella infection. A possible connection between desmopressin therapy or varicella infection (or both) and the patient's neurologic symptoms is discussed, as is the relationship of desmopressin with hypercoagulability. Suggestions for patient/parent education, medical history taking, and patient surveillance are offered to prescribing physicians.