[Enuresis amongst schoolchildren in an Icelandic town.]

Enuresis is defined as uncontrolled voiding during day or night after normal control is expected. It is a common disorder, which can be divided into primary and secondary. We looked at the health files from children born between 1986-1988, written when they started school. There were 62 children which were said to have enuresis matched with 62 controls of same sex and from the same class. Questionnaires were sent to the parents of each child. That way five more children were found. A total of 101 took part in the study, 52 patients and 49 controls. The prevalence of enuresis was 9.8%, boys being almost two thirds. 69% had primary enuresis, 56% only/also at daytime. Over 44% of patients had a parent with history of enuresis and 48% other relatives too. 88% said that the disorder influenced their children's lives. Many parents worried and sought advice. Urinary infection was commoner among patients but not other diseases. Many children were evaluated and therapy attempted in 54%, mostly drugs and/or alarm device. Permanent results were disappointing. Our results are similar to other studies. Most of our patients still had enuresis when the study took place but 15-17% should spontaneously cure each year. A few still might have this problem in adulthood.