Bedwetting in Children-Causes and Diagnosis Print

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Written by Dr Saini   
Friday, 28 August 2009 11:47

nIGHT TIME URINARY ACCIDENTS IN CHILDREN BEDWETTING OVERVIEW — Bedwetting (also called nighttime or nocturnal enuresis) is a common childhood problem. A child learns to control daytime urination as they become aware of their bladder filling. Once this occurs, the child then learns to consciously control and coordinate their bladder. This generally occurs by four years of age. Nighttime bladder control usually takes longer, and is not expected until a child is between five and seven years old.

The number of children with bedwetting varies by age; at five years of age, 16 percent of children have some difficulty staying dry at night. By 15 years of age, only one to two percent continue to wet the bed. Boys are twice as likely to experience bedwetting.
For most children, bedwetting resolves on its own without treatment. However, parents and children may worry about bedwetting since it is embarrassing and inconvenient. Some parents may also worry about underlying medical problems.
BEDWETTING CAUSES — Bedwetting may be related to one or more of the following:
  • The child's bladder is maturing more slowly than usual
  • The child's bladder holds a smaller than normal amount of urine
  • Genetics; parents who had enuresis as children are more likely to have children with enuresis
  • Diminished levels of vasopressin (a hormone that reduces urine production)
  • Deep sleep that prevents a child from sensing bladder fullness (this theory is controversial)
Physical or emotional problems rarely cause bedwetting. By far, most children with bedwetting do not have an underlying medical problem. Medical problems that may contribute to bedwetting include diabetes, urinary tract infection, fecal soiling (encopresis), pin worms, and kidney failure. Most of these conditions can be diagnosed easily.
Constipation, a common problem in children, can also cause bedwetting. If your child's bowel movements are infrequent, you should mention this to your child's health care provider.
BEDWETTING DIAGNOSIS — It can be hard to know when enuresis is a "problem" because the age when a child normally develops complete bladder control varies.
  • A parent who had enuresis as a child may not be concerned about their six-year-old with enuresis.
  • Parents of a four-year-old with enuresis may worry because their older child was dry at age three.
For most children, enuresis is a problem when it interferes with their ability to socialize with friends. However, it is understandable for parents to want reassurance that their child's bedwetting is not caused by an underlying medical problem.

 
 
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