Question
My child frequently wets the bed at night, and sometimes even during the day. At the age of four, his main symptom was a decrease in urine volume and an increase in urination frequency, and it seemed as if he himself was unaware of the bedwetting. The illness has lasted for a long time, and after many tests and detailed examinations, the results showed no abnormalities. In the past, we have tried various treatments, but the effects were not significant. We want to know if it’s possible that there is a problem with his bladder holding ability, and can it improve on its own as he grows up?
Answer
Nighttime enuresis often has a hereditary component within families. If one of the parents has had symptoms of nighttime enuresis, there is a 50% chance that their child will also wet the bed. If both parents have had enuresis, the child’s chance of wetting the bed increases to 75%. Enuresis can be caused by a variety of factors, including worm infections, urinary tract infections, kidney diseases, urethritis, spina bifida, spinal cord injuries, sacral nerve dysfunction, epilepsy, incomplete brain development, and small bladder capacity. However, enuresis caused by these diseases accounts for a very small proportion. Most children’s enuresis is related to psychological factors, hygiene habits, and living environment.