Infrequent enuresis, the uninvestigated majority comparisons between children with enuresis of varying severity

Abstract

The main objective was to compare children with frequent enuresis (FE) and children with infrequent enuresis (IE) using anamnestic data and variables related to bladder and kidney function. A secondary aim was to look at the group of children who wet their beds every single night, a phenomenon we chose to call constant enuresis (CE). The parents recorded the number of wet and dry nights for a period of 14 days, and measured the voided volumes as well as nocturnal urine production for 48 h. History data relevant to bladder and bowel function was also recorded. The children could be grouped as follows: IE, n = 14; FE, n = 18; and CE, n = 22. The children with IE were slightly older than the other groups, IE mean 7.57; FE mean 6.22; CE, mean 6.56 (p = 0.004). When comparing the groups in terms of the measured parameters, only one significant difference was found: the FE group had larger average daytime voided volumes, but only when the first morning void was included. The only significantly differing anamnestic variable was previous daytime incontinence, which was more common among the children in the IE group. When comparing children with varying enuresis severity, no major differences regarding bladder function and urine production were found. Furthermore, children with infrequent enuresis tend to be slightly older when they seek medical help.