What Are the Symptoms of Enuresis?

The main symptoms of enuresis include:

 Repeated bed-wetting
 Wetting in the clothes
 Wetting at least twice a week for approximately three months

What Causes Enuresis?

Many factors may be involved in the development of enuresis. Involuntary, or non-intentional,
release of urine may result from:
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 A small bladder
 Persistent urinary tract infections
 Severe stress
 Developmental delays that interfere with toilet training

Voluntary, or intentional, enuresis may be associated with other mental disorders, including
behavior disorders or emotional disorders such as anxiety. Enuresis also appears to run in
families, which suggests that a tendency for the disorder may be inherited (passed on from parent
to child, particularly on the father's side). In addition, toilet training that was forced or started
when the child was too young may be a factor in the development of the disorder, although there
is little research to make conclusions about the role of toilet training and the development of
enuresis.
Children with enuresis are often described as heavy sleepers who fail to awaken at the urinary
urge to void or when their bladders are full.

How Common Is Enuresis?

Enuresis is a common childhood problem. Estimates suggest that 7% of boys and 3% of girls age
5 have enuresis. These numbers drop to 3% of boys and 2% of girls by age 10. Most children
outgrow this problem by the time they become teens, with only about 1% of males and less than
1% of females having the disorder at age 18.

How Is Enuresis Diagnosed?

First, the doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam to rule out any medical
disorder that may be causing the release of urine, which is called incontinence. Lab tests may
also be performed, such as a urinalysis and blood work to measure blood sugar, hormones,
 and kidney function. Physical conditions that could result in incontinence include diabetes, an
infection, or a functional or structural defect causing a blockage in the urinary tract.
Enuresis also may be associated with certain medicines that can cause confusion or changes in
behavior as a side effect. If no physical cause is found, the doctor will base a diagnosis of
enuresis on the child's symptoms and current behaviors.