Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings
06:39

Through-the-Wall Blood Sampling Method to Minimize Sleep Disruption in Clinical Settings

Published on: June 13, 2025

Bedwetting--not always what it seems: a sign of sleep-disordered breathing in children

Mary Grace Umlauf1, Eileen R Chasens

  • 1Graduate Program, University of Alabama School of Nursing, Birmingham, AL, USA. mgumlauf@uab.edu

Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing : JSPN
|April 29, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Bedwetting and frequent urination at night can signal obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. This condition is linked to breathing issues during sleep and is treatable.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

  • Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) persists in childhood.
  • Sleep research links nocturia and bedwetting to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults.
  • Childhood bedwetting predicts OSA.

Observation:

  • Nocturnal polyuria, the production of excess urine at night, is a key observation.
  • This is associated with sleep-disordered breathing.
  • Negative pressure breathing during sleep is characteristic of OSA.

Findings:

  • Nocturnal polyuria is a cardiovascular response to negative pressure breathing.
  • This breathing pattern is a hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Bedwetting and nocturnal polyuria are significant indicators of OSA.

Implications:

  • Nocturnal polyuria and sleep-disordered breathing are crucial signs of OSA.
  • Early identification of these signs is vital for timely diagnosis.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious but treatable condition, emphasizing the need for prompt medical evaluation.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

Scanning Dos and Don'ts: Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Awake Children Aged 3 to 5 Years to Assess Brain Structure and Function07:31

Scanning Dos and Don'ts: Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Awake Children Aged 3 to 5 Years to Assess Brain Structure and Function

Published on: March 10, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking01:17

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, involves individuals engaging in activities ranging from simple walking to more complex behaviors such as driving. Sleepwalking typically occurs during the slow-wave sleep stages 3 and 4 early in the night when the person is not dreaming, contradicting the myth that sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams.
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Alterations in Respiration II01:30

Alterations in Respiration II

There are numerous types of normal and abnormal respiration. Based on ventilatory movements, breathing patterns are classified as regular, deep, or shallow. Examples include Biot's breathing, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, Kussmaul's breathing, hyperventilation, and hypoventilation. Each pattern is clinically significant and aids in evaluating patients.
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes include...
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I01:26

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I

Assessing the respiratory rate and rhythm for a complete minute is crucial for evaluating the breathing pattern. Even a minor increase in the patient's average respiratory rate, by as little as three to five breaths per minute, is an early and vital indicator of respiratory distress. Patients with a respiratory rate exceeding twenty-four breaths per minute require close monitoring to determine the physiological alterations. This careful observation is essential for prompt recognition and...