Enuresis is the medical name for the involuntary passing of urine and the most common form of enuresis, ie that which occurs at night, simply referred to as bedwetting.
Approximately 15 to 20 per cent of all five- and six-year-olds wet the bed and it is more common among boys. With teenagers, the figure is 2 to 3 per cent up to 14 years and 1 per cent at 15 years and over. Frequent bedwetting is common in children up to the age of six. The child should not be put under pressure if younger than six - children do not wet the bed on purpose.
The medical definition of nocturnal enuresis is bedwetting over the age of five years. Primary nocturnal enuresis is when a child has never developed complete night-time bladder control. Secondary nocturnal enuresis is when a child suffers bedwetting after having been continually dry for more than six months.
In a significant minority of children who wet the bed no reason can be found.
Often it is passed on through the family. About 70 per cent of children who wet their beds either have a brother, sister or a parent who has experienced the same problem. Studies have localised a genetic predisposition to this condition.
It may have a medical, social or psychological cause such as constipation, kidney disease, cystitis, diabetes, sensitivity to certain food or food additives; and problems at school, at home, or the divorce of parents.
One explanation could be that these children are heavy sleepers who do not wake up when their bladder is full. Also, some children develop bladder control later than others.
At night, some children produce too little of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which controls the production of urine. Tablets containing desmopressin (eg Desmotabs) may help. The child needs to be examined by a doctor who will then decide whether treatment is necessary.
(by ;Dr. Ripudaman Singh)
