Bedwetting (cont.)
How common is secondary bedwetting?
Only approximately 2%-3% of all children with bedwetting have a medical
cause for the condition.
What causes secondary bedwetting?
Urinary tract infections, metabolic disorders (for example, various types of diabetes), external pressure on the bladder (for example, extreme constipation by a large rectal stool mass), as well as neurologic disorders of the spinal cord must be considered among the causes of secondary bedwetting.
How is the cause of secondary bedwetting diagnosed?
Generally, a complete history and thorough physical exam provide the initial evaluation of a child with primary bedwetting. A urinalysis and urine culture generally complete the workup. Further laboratory and radiological studies are usually reserved for the youngster who presents with secondary bedwetting.
What is the treatment for secondary bedwetting?
Therapy of secondary bedwetting is directed at the primary pathology
provoking the symptom of wetting the bed. As expected, cure rates
vary with the primary cause of the loss of control.
What is the outlook (prognosis) for children with
bedwetting?
In the medical world of today, both primary and secondary bedwetting
should be a manageable condition with a reasonable goal of
successfully eliminating both parental and patient anxiety,
frustration, and embarrassment.
Resources for parents
http://www.aap.org
http://www.aafp.org
- Bedwetting is also called nocturnal enuresis.
- There are two types of bedwetting: primary and
secondary.
- Primary bedwetting is bedwetting since
infancy.
- Primary bedwetting is due to a delay in the
maturing of the nervous system.
- Primary bedwetting is an inability to
recognize messages sent by the bladder to the sleeping brain.
- The "cure" for primary bedwetting is "tincture
(or passage) of time."
- There are a number of interventions including medical and behavioral options.
- Secondary bedwetting is wetting after being
dry for at least six months.
- Secondary bedwetting is due to urine
infections, diabetes, and other medical conditions.
- All bedwetting is manageable.
- Always speak to your child's physician for guidance.
Last Editorial Review: 3/25/2008
- Sleepwalking - Learn about sleepwalking causes such as genetics, stress, fever, pregnancy, menstruation, medical conditions, abnormal heart rhythms, GERD, nightime asthma, seizures, sleep apnea, and more.
- Encopresis - Learn encopresis causes (constipation, diet), symptoms, treatment and diagnosis. Problems controlling bowel movements may be due to toilet training fears or other psychological problems.
- Urinary Incontinence in Children - Learn types of urinary incontinence in children, causes of daytime and nighttime (bedwetting) incontinence, treatment, medication and enuresis products for bladder problems.
Latest Medical News
Sleep RSS