Bedwetting (Enuresis) in children
Enuresis
Primary vs secondary enuresis
- Bedwetting is common and often runs in families.
- It can be upsetting, but most children and young people will grow out of it
Primary vs secondary enuresis
Primary vs secondary enuresis
Primary enuresis ( most common type of bedwetting ) is when a child has never been able to control their bladder at night
Secondary enuresis is when a child has regained bedwetting after a period of dryness.
Causes for bed wetting
Causes for bed wetting
There are many reasons why a child might wet the bed. Causes include:
- not feeling the need to pee while sleeping
- making too much pee at night
- stress at home or at school
Bedwetting may also be caused by an underlying health condition such as diabetes or constipation.
Day time urinary incontinence
Some children may have increased urgency and frequency of going to the toilet during day time or have day time accidents / urinary incontinence
This can occur because of
- overactive bladder or other causes like
- constipation ,
- urinary infection
Investigations
Some children may require investigations depending on clinical symptoms if experiencing secondary enuresis or day time incontinence including
- Ultrasound scans
- Kidney function tests
- Blood glucose levels
- Blood and urine osmolalities
- Evaluation for constipation / UTI
Management
Management
Conservative management for enuresis including
- reward charts
- optimising fluid intake
- bed alarms
If symptoms of primary bed wetting persist over 7 years, medications may be required : Desmopressin / Anticholinergic medications
Secondary bedwetting - medical treatment based on clinical findings
Day time incontinence - medications may be re
Conservative management for enuresis including
- reward charts
- optimising fluid intake
- bed alarms
If symptoms of primary bed wetting persist over 7 years, medications may be required : Desmopressin / Anticholinergic medications
Secondary bedwetting - medical treatment based on clinical findings
Day time incontinence - medications may be required to control symptoms of increased urgency and frequency of passing urine / urinary incontinence