A clinical review of enuresis and its associated psychiatric comorbidities

Abstract

Enuresis is a common childhood condition treated by pediatricians and psychiatrists. Enuresis is also commonly referred as bedwetting. It is more prevalent among boys than girls. Enuresis is an involuntary voiding of urine continuing after an anticipated age of control in the absence of any organic abnormality. This review summarizes the current knowledge about epidemiology, diagnosis, etiological factors, psychiatric comorbidities, and behavioral (enuresis alarm and star charts) as well as pharmacological (desmopressin and imipramine) management of enuresis. It is important to understand the epidemiology, etiology, behavioral as well as pharmacological management, and screening for psychiatric comorbidities for the better outcome among the children with enuresis. Enuresis can be stressful physically as well as mentally for both child and parents. Many times, parents of children with enuresis either do not show willingness or hesitate to report the bedwetting behavior of their children due to perceived stigma related to enuresis. Hence, there is a paucity of data in this field that the detailed evaluation of the prevalence, causative factors, and risk factors is needed and of great value to understand the psychiatric comorbidities associated with enuresis for the better outcome. Psychological support and motivation are needed for both children and their parents for improving their treatment-seeking behavior and for an effective management of enuresis.