Enuresis (Daytime wetting)

Enuresis means your child is not properly or not completely emptying their bladder. It can be used to describe various voiding dysfunction problems, such as daytime wetting, urine leakage or the frequent urge to use the bathroom. The condition is common and can range from mild to severe.

Enuresis can be embarrassing for children. It’s often frustrating for parents too. Our team will work with families to identify the cause and resolve the problem.

Causes

Enuresis often is a learned problem. In some cases, children may avoid using the bathroom because they don’t want to stop playing. Others may have once had a urinary tract infection that made it painful to urinate, and now they’re afraid. A child who had a difficult time potty-training might have poor bathroom habits. .

Other potential causes include:

• Stress incontinence (urine leakage when coughing or sneezing)
• Giggle incontinence (urine leakage when laughing)
• Urinary tract problems that developed before birth
• Infections
• Central nervous system, endocrine or kidney conditions
• Genetic diseases that affect the urinary tract

Signs and symptoms

Daytime wetting may be the first sign of enuresis. When a child over age 4 has frequent daytime accidents with no obvious underlying medical cause, he or she may be diagnosed with enuresis.

Other symptoms include:

• Frequent or infrequent urination
• Urgent need to urinate without a full bladder
• Feeling like the bladder is full when it’s not
• Pain or straining with urination
• Hesitancy to urinate
• Leaking small amounts of urine
• Urinary tract infections

Enuresis diagnosis

Our team works with families to evaluate your child. This often begins with detailed questions about your child’s bathroom habits and frequency of accidents. A physical exam will be performed. Tests such as an ultrasound or X-ray may be necessary to rule out underlying medical causes. Urine might be checked for signs of infection.

Enuresis treatments

The treatment for enuresis depends on the type and cause, as well as your child’s age.

In some cases, we may recommend your child use the bathroom on a timed schedule. Other measures, such as avoiding caffeine and treating constipation, might also be suggested.

If your child has frequent urinary tract infections, we will address that issue first.

If your child has difficulty emptying their bladder, we may recommend urinating twice in a row to empty their bladder more completely.

In some children, medication may be necessary to normalize bladder activity.