Enuresis factors in 5-15 year old children

Abstract

Introduction: Enuresis is a common and troublesome disorder defined as intentional or involuntary passage of urine in bed, 2 times in month after the age of 5 years. The prevalence of enuresis at age 5 is 7% for males and 3% for females while it is 4.1% in 7 year-old children in Iran.

Methods: This survey was a descriptive analytic study in which 40 children with enuresis were selected as case group and 40 normal ones as controls. Method of selection was through simple random sampling. After selecting the case group, the parents were interviewed and the questionnaires were filled out. Then, the laboratory tests such as urine and blood tests and kidney ultrasonography were done for all children.

Results: Mean age of the samples was 8 years. All children had normal laboratory tests. Enuresis was more frequent in boys than in girls (p<0/05). Statistical tests showed a significant association between enuresis and sex, the presence of a brother or a sister with the history of enuresis, physical punishment, any history of war, floods or earthquake, family size, daily urine times and urinary emergency (p<0/05).

Conclusion: It is recommended to reduce stress in a family when the child is in toddler age. The children must not be punished for incontinency. Also, having low family size is useful in reducing enuresis in children.

Key Words: Enuresis, Pediatric, Behavioral Disorder