Patient's question:
My daughter is 2 and a half years old. She usually urinates 2 to 3 times at night. She goes to sleep around 9 o'clock and wakes up at around 8 o'clock in the morning. Is this considered pediatric enuresis? How can pediatric enuresis be prevented? What should be paid attention to in diet when preventing pediatric enuresis?Doctor's answer:
The causes of enuresis in children include:1. Genetic factors: Enuresis has a genetic predisposition.
2. Deep sleep: This is a common cause. Some children play too tired before bed, making it difficult to wake up due to deep sleep. If they drink a lot before bed, it is more likely to cause bedwetting.
3. Delayed maturation of bladder function: Some children have smaller bladders than normal, leading to more frequent urination but smaller urine volume. At times, the bladder may contract even when there is little urine inside.
4. Psychological stress: Some children are easily stressed, especially those experiencing family discord, parents' divorce, loss of parents, or abuse. These children have a significantly higher chance of bedwetting. However, this type of enuresis is often temporary and may gradually disappear as their stress and emotions stabilize over time.
5. Medical factors: Enuresis caused by organic diseases is relatively rare. Conditions such as urinary tract infections, congenital abnormalities, spina bifida, and meningocele can lead to bedwetting. Additionally, asymptomatic bacteriuria and hypercalciuria may also cause enuresis, and parents should pay attention.
6. Endocrine factors: The human body normally secretes arginine vasopressin (AVP) at night, which is an antidiuretic hormone that reduces nighttime urine production. The peak secretion occurs around 1–2 a.m., making it harder for the bladder to fill and trigger the urge to urinate, allowing for undisturbed sleep throughout the night. If a child lacks this hormone, it may also cause enuresis.