Medical expert of the article
New publications
Enuresis in children
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Enuresis in children is the involuntary emptying of the bladder at an undesirable time or in an inappropriate place. Enuresis is considered pathological in children over three years of age and accounts for 6 to 15% depending on the population.
During the act of urination, the internal and external urethral sphincters must relax, and at the same time the muscles of the bladder (detrusor) and abdominal muscles must contract. The act of urination is controlled by nerve endings. Sympathetic innervation of the bladder comes from the lumbar spinal cord (L 2 -L 4 ). Stimulation of the sympathetic nerves leads to inhibition of emptying the bladder and retention of urine. Parasympathetic stimulation leads to its emptying: irritation of the sacral spinal cord (S 2 -S 4 ) leads to relaxation of the urethral sphincters and contraction of the detrusor, i.e. to the release of urine.
Enuresis is not a diagnosis, but a symptom of various diseases. At the first admission to the hospital before examination such a conclusion is acceptable, but enuresis should not be the final diagnosis.
[ Causes of enuresis in children
Enuresis can be a symptom of the following diseases and conditions:
- neurosis;
- neurosis-like conditions;
- consequence of urological pathology;
- spinal cord pathologies (spinal bladder);
- a combination of the above violations.
Most often, enuresis is caused by neurosis-like conditions, neuroses and urological pathology. At the same time, long-term persistence of enuresis in children under 10-12 years old can lead to the formation of neurosis.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
What tests are needed?
Treatment of enuresis in children
- Find out a detailed obstetric history to determine the "nature" of enuresis: neurosis or a neurosis-like condition.
- Prescribe laboratory and instrumental research methods:
- analysis of the rhythm and volume of urination on Saturday and Sunday;
- Zimnitsky test;
- several urine tests (3-5) general and according to Nechiporenko;
- Ultrasound of the urinary system to detect gross urological defects.
- If there are changes during the examination, according to point 2, an X-ray urological examination (cystography, urography) is performed to identify nephrological and urological pathology.
- If there are no changes in the examination presented in paragraph 2, EEG and EchoEG, myography are performed, consultation and treatment of a nephropathologist (for neurosis-like conditions) and a psychiatrist (for neurosis) are prescribed. In the absence of an effect within 6-12 months, an X-ray urological examination is also indicated.
Использованная литература