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Occasional "accidents" are common among children who are toilet trained. Around 20% of children have some problems with bedwetting at age 5, and up to 10% still do at age 7. By the late teens, the estimated rate of bedwetting is between 1% and 3% of children. Nocturnal enuresis is 2 to 3 times more common in boys than girls.
Although it is not completely understood why bedwetting occurs, it is thought to happen because of a delay in the development in at least one of the following three areas at nighttime: (1)
- Bladder less space in the bladder at night
- Kidney more urine is made at night
- Brain unable to wake up during sleep
It can also be due to:
- Genetics
- Stress
- Deep sleep/poor sleep
- Obstructive sleep apnea/ snoring
- Constipation
- Neurological disease
- Other medical conditions (diabetes, attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity disorder) and/or some medications
Bedwetting Evaluation: Your child's doctor will first take a complete medical history and ask about any other urinary symptoms such as the urge to urinate a lot, the need to "run to the bathroom" a lot, or pain or burning while peeing. The doctor will also ask about sleep patterns, how often your child moves his or her bowels, and family health. The doctor will ask if either parent wet their bed at night as a child.
Finally, the doctor may ask about stressful events in the child's life that could be adding to the problem. Your child will also receive a complete physical exam including a simple urine test (urinalysis). This test shows signs of a disease or an infection. In most children with enuresis, the results of this test come back completely normal. X-rays are usually not needed.1
It is very important to remember that bedwetting is not your child’s fault nor under his/her control. All family members should not punish the child. Focus on working with your doctor to figure out the cause and take necessary steps that can help.
Dr. Bilan Yaman
MD, Pediatrics
1https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/genitourinary-tract/Pages/Nocturnal-Enuresis-in-Teens.aspx
