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Definition
Bed-wetting is involuntary urination during sleep in children over age five. Typically around ages 3 to 5 years, children become able to sleep through the night without wetting. While infection or anatomic abnormalities of the urinary system may explain bed-wetting at night, most cases have no explanation and are referred to by doctors as primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE).
Causes
When children are sleeping, the bladder may signal the brain that it is full. But the brain must return a signal for the bladder not to empty. Then the child must wake up and go to the bathroom.
Causes of bed-wetting are varied and may overlap. Contributing factors include:
- Bladder control that develops more slowly than normal
- Greater than average urine production at night
- Genetic predisposition
- A sleep disorder, sometimes related to enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Urinary System in Child
2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
In rare cases, bed-wetting may indicate a physical problem. Usually if a physical problem is responsible, daytime urinary patterns will change as well. Physical conditions that may cause the condition include those in which either excess urine is produced or the bladder does not empty properly:
Kidney or bladder infectionsKidney diseaseDiabetes mellitusDiabetes insipidus (a very rare disorder in which sugar is normal but excess water is excreted by the kidney) Congenital bladder, kidney, or neurological abnormalityUnless a child has one of the conditions listed above, virtually all will stop bed-wetting by the time they reach puberty. However, bed-wetting remains a problem for up to 1% of adults. Risk FactorsA risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors include: Family members with a history of bed-wetting Significant psychosocial stressors, such as: Moving to a new homeLoss of a loved oneA new baby in the homeInitial toilet training that was too stressfulPhysical or sexual abuse SymptomsThe child wakes up and finds the bed wet from urine. Diagnosis The doctor will ask about symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Expect to answer questions about: Family history of bed-wettingDaytime urinary patternsProblems urinating, such as pain or weak streamUsual intake of fluidsType of fluids consumedPresence of blood in the urineStrained family dynamics around the issue of bed-wettingChild's emotional response to the behaviorRecent psychological trauma Tests may include:
Urine sampleobtained after an overnight fast to determine how concentrated the urine is, and to check for infection and other problems with the urinary tract X-rays or ultrasound studyif, in rare cases, a physical cause is suspected The doctor may refer you to one or more specialists, such as an ear, nose, and throat doctor if there is evidence of obstructive breathing at night or a psychiatrist if there are significant emotional problems. TreatmentTreatment for aims to gradually reduce the frequency of bed-wetting until the child essentially grows out of it. Treatment is rarely appropriate before age six, which is usually when bed-wetting begins to interfere with social development. Motivation and Family SupportBed-wetting is rarely an intentional act. Children are usually upset and ashamed when it happens. Do not punish the child. It is very important that parents offer encouragement that the bed-wetting will stop with time. Do not let siblings tease the child who wets the bed. Keep careful records of the child's progress and offer consistent support. A very simple motivational method is the use of positive feedback, such as a star chart.Fluids should be restricted after 6:00-7:00 in the evening, and the child should void before going to bed. Sugar and caffeine should also be avoided after late afternoon.
Behavioral ConditioningThe doctor may recommend a conditioning device, such as a pad with a buzzer that sounds when wet. The child wears the pad in his or her underwear. The alarm wakes the child to get up and use the toilet. Parents may need to help the child get to the bathroom and reset the alarm.Most studies suggest that this form of treatment has the highest success rate and the fewest complications. Bladder TrainingSome doctors suggest bladder-stretching exercises, but there is little evidence that this approach works. While awake, the child gradually increases the amount of time that elapses between urinations. Do not try this method without talking to the doctor. Medication Drugs to treat symptoms include: Desmopressin (DDAVP Nasal Spray, DDAVP Rhinal Tube, DDAVP, DDVP, Minirin, Stimate Nasal Spray)a hormone available as a nasal spray or in tablet form used to decrease the amount of urine produced According to the Food and Drug Administration, children and adults taking the nasal form of desmopressin are at risk for developing severe hyponatremia. This condition occurs when there are low levels of sodium in the blood, which can result in seizures and death. If you have hyponatremia or a history of it, do not take the nasal spray. Also, if you have an illness that may lead to fluid and/or electrolyte imbalance, do not take the tablet form. Desmopressin should be used with caution if you are at high risk for water intoxication with hyponatremia. *Imipramine (Tofranil-PM, Tofranil)an antidepressant that lightens the level of sleep and may also decrease the frequency of urinationOxybutynin (Ditropan XL, Ditropan, Oxytrol)an anticholinergic agent that has been used, but has a low response rate PreventionPrevention of bed-wetting in children not prone to primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) is of limited value. Since excess intake of fluid is rarely the cause, restricting fluids prior to bed does not produce consistent results. Still, it is reasonable to have all children empty their bladders prior to bed. Some parents wake their children every few hours to urinate, but most report that they rarely get much cooperation.
RESOURCES: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatryhttp://www.aacap.org American Academy of Pediatricshttp://www.aap.org CANADIAN RESOURCES: About Kids Healthhttp://www.aboutkidshealth.ca Alberta Health and Wellnesshttp://www.health.gov.ab.ca/ References: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry website. Available at: http://www.aacap.org . American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: http://www.aap.org . Campbell's Urology . 7th ed. WB Saunders Company; 1998. Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. WB Saunders Company; 2001. Kleigman RM, Jensen HB, Behrman RE, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. Lee T, et al. Comparison of effects of treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis with oxybutynin plus desmopressin, desmopressin alone, or imipramine alone: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Urol . 2005;174:1084-1087. *12/13/2007 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : 2007 Safety Alerts for Drugs, Biologics, Medical Devices, and Dietary Supplements: Desmopressin acetate (marketed as DDAVP Nasal Spray, DDAVP Rhinal Tube, DDAVP, DDVP, Minirin, and Stimate Nasal Spray). US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Desmopressin . 2007 Dec 4.
Last reviewed November 2007 by Kari L. Kassir, MDPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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