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Enuresis (Bedwetting)

Last Updated October 2022 | This article was created by familydoctor.org editorial staff and reviewed by Kyle Bradford Jones, MD, FAAFP

What is enuresis>?

Enuresis is the medical term for bedwetting while sleeping. Bedwetting is fairly common among children. It is often just a stage in their development. It also is more common among boys than girls. It is not considered abnormal until your child is older and wets the bed consistently (at least twice a week for 3 months or more).

Symptoms of enuresis?

The primary symptom of enuresis is wetting the bed at night while sleeping when you are age 5 or older. This could happen a few times a week or every night. Many kids who wet the bed are very deep sleepers. For most, urinating while sleeping is the only symptom.

What causes enuresis?

Bedwetting is not a mental or behavior problem. It doesn’t happen because the child is too lazy to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. A number of things can cause bedwetting. Some of the more common causes include:

  • Genetic factors (It tends to run in families.)
  • Difficulties waking up from sleep
  • Stress
  • Slower than normal development of the central nervous system (This reduces the child’s ability to stop the bladder from emptying at night.)
  • Hormonal factors (Not enough antidiuretic hormone is produced. This is the hormone that slows urine production at night.)
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Abnormalities in the urethral valves in boys or in the ureter in girls or boys
  • Abnormalities in the spinal cord
  • A small bladder 

When do most children achieve bladder control?

Children achieve bladder control at different ages. If a child is younger than 5 years of age, treatment for bedwetting is not necessary. Some children don’t stay dry at night regularly before age 7. Bedwetting up to that time is not unusual, even though it may be frustrating to parents. Call your family doctor if:

  • Your child is 5 or older and wets the bed 2 to 3 times a week.
  • Your child is 5 or older and experiences daytime and nighttime wetting.

How is enuresis diagnosed?

Most children who wet the bed are healthy. Your doctor can help you determine whether your child’s bedwetting is caused by a medical problem. First, your doctor will ask questions about your child’s daytime and nighttime bathroom habits. They will do a physical exam and probably a urine test to check for infection or diabetes.

Your doctor may also ask about how things are going at home and at school for your child. You may be worried about your child’s bedwetting. But studies have shown that children who wet the bed are not more emotionally upset than other children. Your doctor might also ask about your family life because treatment may depend on changes at home.

Can enuresis be prevented or avoided?

Enuresis cannot be prevented or avoided. It tends to run in families. It is not something the child can control, so they can’t avoid it.

Enuresis treatment

Most children outgrow bedwetting without treatment. However, you and your doctor may decide your child needs treatment. There are 2 kinds of treatment: Behavior therapy and medicine.

Behavior therapy helps teach your child not to wet the bed. Some behavioral treatments you can try at home include:

  • Limit fluids before bedtime.
  • Have your child go to the bathroom at the beginning of the bedtime routine and then again right before going to sleep.
  • Use a moisture alarm system that rings when the bed gets wet. This can teach your child to respond to bladder sensations at night.
  • Create a reward system for dry nights. But do not punish your child when they have an accident.
  • Ask your child to change the bed sheets when they have an accident.
  • Bladder training—have your child practice holding their urine for longer and longer times during the day. This helps stretch the bladder so it can hold more urine.

What kinds of medicines are used to treat bedwetting?

Your doctor may give your child medicine. This usually only happens if your child is 7 years of age or older and behavior therapy has not worked. Medicines are not a cure for bedwetting. One kind of medicine helps the bladder hold more urine. The other kind helps the kidneys make less urine. These medicines may have side effects, such as dry mouth and flushing of the cheeks (red cheeks).

Living with enuresis

Bedwetting can lead to behavior problems because a child may feel guilt and embarrassment. It’s true that your child should take responsibility for bedwetting. They could do this by helping with the laundry. But your child shouldn’t be made to feel guilty. It’s important for your child to know that bedwetting isn’t their “fault.” Punishing your child for wetting the bed will not solve the problem.

It may help your child to know that no one knows the exact cause of bedwetting. Explain that it tends to run in families. (If you wet the bed as a child, you should share that information with your child.)

Remind your child that it’s okay to use the bathroom during the night. Place nightlights leading to the bathroom so your child can easily find their way. You may also cover your child’s mattress with a plastic cover to make cleanup easier. If accidents occur, praise your child for trying and for helping clean up.

Almost all kids who wet the bed stop eventually. Some even stop without treatment.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • Should I be concerned about my child’s bedwetting?
  • Why do they do it?
  • What can I do to help my child?
  • Could there be a medical reason that my child wets the bed?
  • What tests can you do for this?
  • Will my child outgrow this, or should they be treated?

Resources

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Bladder Control Problems & Bedwetting in Children

U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus: Bedwetting

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