Question
A 5-year-old boy has been suffering from urinary incontinence for a long time, with small urine volume but frequent urination, often wetting his pants during the day and night. After a detailed examination by the hospital, he was diagnosed with sacral vertebral cleft, specifically incomplete closure of the sacral arch at S1 and S2. In this situation, how should one handle the urinary incontinence? Is surgery necessary?
Answer
If the nocturnal enuresis is confirmed to be caused by sacral cleft, it is important to avoid having the child maintain the same posture for extended periods, such as standing, sitting up, or bending over, and to avoid severe physical activities. In mild cases, treatment may not be required and the condition may naturally improve with the child’s growth. It is crucial not to scold or criticize the child after they wet themselves, as this can increase their psychological stress and be detrimental to their condition; instead, it may have adverse effects.