Involuntary urination at night
Wet sheets and pajamas are common in children and have no clinical significance Don't think that if your child can't stop bedwetting before a certain age, it's because of your explanation or your efforts. This is a normal stage of child development
Involuntary urination at night is also called nocturnal incontinence and nocturnal enuresis A child under the age of 7 normally urinates involuntarily at night By age 7, a child develops bladder control
If involuntary urination continues, approach the problem with understanding and patience. Better control, waking while wetting, or medical therapy are effective in most cases
The exact cause of involuntary urination at night is unknown Several factors are important:
- Small bladder A child's bladder may not be able to hold urine at night due to its small size
- Disruption of the ability to perceive a full bladder If the nerves controlling the bladder are not formed, a full bladder will not wake the baby, especially if he is a deep sleeper.
- Hormonal imbalance Some children do not produce enough antidiuretic hormone to slow the production of urine at night
- Stress Stressful situations such as having a new baby in the family, moving to a new school, sleeping away from home can become the cause of involuntary urination.
- Urinary tract infection The infection makes it difficult to control urination Signs and symptoms include involuntary urination at night or during the day, frequent urination, red or pink urine, and pain during urination.
- Sleep apnea Sometimes involuntary urination at night is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea This condition prevents the child from breathing due to inflamed or enlarged tonsils or adenoids Other signs and symptoms include snoring, frequent ear and sinus infections, sore throat, and daytime fatigue.
- Diabetes If the child is already used to involuntary urination at night and a similar episode is repeated, this may be the first sign of diabetes. Other signs and symptoms include large volumes of urine, thirst, fatigue, weight loss without loss of appetite
- Chronic constipation Similar muscles ensure the excretion of urine and feces When constipation is prolonged, the muscles become dysfunctional and contribute to involuntary urination at night
- Structural problems of the urinary or nervous system Rarely, involuntary urination is caused by the incomplete development and defect of the neurological or urinary systems
Involuntary urination at night is perceived as a symptom if it occurs after a certain age
Most children learn to urinate involuntarily by age 5, although there is no exact age when all children are able to control their bladder. Between 5 and 7 years of age, bedwetting still occurs in some children, and after age 7, very few children continue bedwetting at night.
When to see a doctor Most children will get used to bedwetting at night on their own, but some need help In other cases, involuntary urination may be the result of another condition that requires medical evaluation
Talk to the pediatrician if:
- The child is 7 years old or older and continues to urinate involuntarily
- The child begins to urinate involuntarily again several months after habituation
- Involuntary urination is accompanied by pain, thirst, pink or red urine, hard stools, or snoring
