[Overactive bladder syndrome in children]

According to recent terminology, the symptom complex of frequency and urgency with or without urge incontinence in childhood is called overactive bladder. The main etiologic factor seems to be a delayed maturation of complex neuroanatomic structures responsible for normal bladder control. Afflicted children show a typical pattern of reflex voiding with different degrees of severity. In many cases nocturnal incontinence is the main complaint and this may lead to the wrong diagnosis of nocturnal enuresis with resulting false treatment. The diagnostic work-up consists of standardized evaluation of children with enuresis and voiding dysfunction and should concentrate on the exclusion of any possible underlying neurological disorder. Treatment focuses primarily on behavioral modification and cognitive education with regard to bladder sensation and voluntary micturition. Muscarinic receptor antagonists are very useful as supportive medical treatment with a rather low rate of adverse effects. Children who fail to respond to treatment or children suffering from side effects can profit from alternative treatment modalities including biofeedback programs, pelvic floor stimulation, or acupuncture.