Bed-wetting and enuresis

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Bed-wetting and enuresis

Bed-wetting is accidental urination during sleep. Accidental wetting (day or night) that develops or continues after a child is normally expected to have bladder control is called enuresis.

Accidental wetting of clothes or bedding is common in young children, because they develop bladder control at different rates. Most children are able to control their bladders and stop accidental wetting by 5 or 6 years of age.

A medical condition, such as a bladder infection or emotional stress, may cause accidental wetting that develops after a child has learned to control the bladder. In these cases, treatment or counseling may help stop the enuresis. If an older child still experiences enuresis and it is affecting the child's school performance or relationships with peers, treatment methods may involve praise and encouragement, a moisture alarm, behavior therapy, or medication.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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