Urinary Incontinence

Bed-Wetting

Bed-wetting (nocturnal enuresis) is the loss of bladder control primarily during sleep. This type of incontinence is common in children, and in adults who drink alcohol or use certain medications.

Outside of bed-wetting caused by developmental delay (primary enuresis), the cause of a child's bed-wetting often remains a mystery. This common problem affects 10 percent of children over 5, and is more prevalent in boys. An immature bladder and an inability to wake to use the bathroom during the night are both possible causes of bed-wetting. Other causes include stress, illness, bladder and kidney infections, diabetes, and urinary tract abnormalities.

In some cases, heredity is also believed to play a role. Research shows that 44 percent of children who wet the bed have at least one parent who had this problem. When both parents have a history of bed-wetting, 77 percent of their children also wet the bed.

Pediatric urologists at Mayo Clinic have extensive experience in treating children for bed-wetting. Research by Mayo doctors has demonstrated the effectiveness of medications and devices for the treatment of this problem. Patients treated at Mayo Clinic in Rochester also benefit from a nurse who coordinates their care and follows up regularly to monitor progress.

Recent Mayo Research

Crimmins CR, Rathbun SR, Husmann DA. Management of urinary incontinence and nocturnal enuresis in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Urol. 2003 Oct;170(4 Pt 1):1347-50. [Abstract]

McGrath ML, Mellon MW, Murphy L. Empirically supported treatments in pediatric psychology: constipation and encopresis. J Pediatr Psychol. 2000 Jun;25(4):225-54; discussion 255-6. Review. [Abstract]

Vandersteen DR, Husmann DA. Treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis persisting into adulthood.
J Urol. 1999 Jan;161(1):90-2. [Abstract]

Tietjen DN, Husmann DA. Nocturnal enuresis: a guide to evaluation and treatment. Mayo Clin Proc. 1996 Sep;71(9):857-62. Review. [Abstract]

Husmann DA. Enuresis. Urology. 1996 Aug;48(2):184-93. Review. [No Abstract Available]

Monda JM, Husmann DA. Primary nocturnal enuresis: a comparison among observation, imipramine, desmopressin acetate and bed-wetting alarm systems. J Urol. 1995 Aug;154(2 Pt 2):745-8. [Abstract]

Schwartz MS. Chapter: Biofeedback. Nocturnal or sleep enuresis: the urine alarm as a biofeedback treatment. Schwartz MS, et, al, editor(s). Biofeedback Second edition. New York: Guilford Press; 1995. p. 662-82. [No Abstract Available]

Hogg RJ, Husmann DA. The role of family history in predicting response to desmopressin in nocturnal enuresis. J Urol. 1993 Aug;150(2 Pt 1):444-5. [Abstract]