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Bed-wetting and its association with developmental milestones in early childhood
Evelyne Touchette1, Dominique Petit, Jean Paquet
1Centre d'étude du sommeil et des rythmes biologiques, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
Bed-wetting in young children is linked to developmental milestones. This study suggests bed-wetting may indicate potential delays in central nervous system development for some children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric developmental science
- Childhood enuresis research
- Neurodevelopmental pediatrics
Background:
- Bed-wetting (nocturnal enuresis) is common in early childhood.
- Understanding its relationship with developmental milestones is crucial for early identification of potential issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between bed-wetting and developmental milestones in a large cohort of young children.
- To identify specific developmental factors linked to persistent bed-wetting.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, stratified survey design was employed.
- Data were collected via questionnaires and home interviews from 1666 children aged 29, 41, and 53 months.
- Key developmental milestones and bed-wetting status were assessed.
Main Results:
- Approximately 10% of children experienced bed-wetting at 53 months; most cessation occurred between 29-41 months.
- Boys who wet the bed showed delays in achieving motor milestones (crawling, sitting).
- Girls who wet the bed had higher rates of prematurity, hyperactivity, and inattention; both genders showed delayed language milestones.
Conclusions:
- Bed-wetting is associated with specific developmental milestones in early childhood.
- The findings suggest bed-wetting may signal potential delays in central nervous system development.
- This association can serve as an important indicator for parents and healthcare providers.
Objective:
To evaluate the relationship between bed-wetting and various developmental milestones in a large and representative sample of young children.
Design:
A randomized 3-level stratified survey design.
Setting:
Data were collected by questionnaires, and interviews were scheduled at home with the mother.
Participants:
A representative sample of children born from 1997 to 1998 in Quebec. A complete set of data on bed-wetting was obtained for 1666 children at the ages of 29, 41, and 53 months.
Main Outcome Measures:
Percentage of children who bed-wet and developmental factors associated with bed-wetting.
Results:
Approximately 10% of the children were bed-wetting at the age of 53 months. Bed-wetting cessation occurred for most children studied between the ages of 29 and 41 months. Motor skills were achieved by fewer boys who bed-wet compared with boys who did not (had sat up without support for 10 minutes at 5 months, P = .05; and had started crawling at 5 months, P<.01). More girls who bed-wet were prematurely born and had hyperactivity and inattention (P<.01 for all) compared with those who did not. Language milestones were achieved by fewer children who bed-wet compared with those who did not (boys: P = .04; girls: P = .02). No between-group difference was found for physical growth and sleep variables.
Conclusions:
These findings show an association between bed-wetting and developmental milestones in early childhood. This study supports that bed-wetting could be indicative of a possible delay in the development of the central nervous system and could act as a noticeable indicator for parents and pediatricians.
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