How common is enuresis?
Nocturnal enuresis is very common in the first few years after toilet training and most children outgrow their bed-wetting. Age (years) Children with Nocturnal Enuresis (%) 3 years – 43.2% 4 years – 20.2% 5 years – 15.7% 6 years – 13.1% 7 years – 10.3% 8 years – 7.4% Some bed-wetters do not produce the normal high levels of vasopressin (a hormone that helps recycle water from urine) at night and make more dilute urine than they should at night. In addition, they don’t seem to get the message that the bladder is full and as a result have accidents when asleep. How is enuresis diagnosed? Bed-wetting can be a symptom of urinary tract infection or abnormalities of the urinary tract and, if associated with painful urination, stream abnormality, or daytime incontinence, should be fully evaluated. Usually a diagnosis of isolated bed-wetting can be made after performing a careful history, physical examination, and inspection of the urine (and, in some situations, ultrasound or other imaging te
