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P50 Sensory Gating in Infants
Published on: December 26, 2013
Afferent pathway dysfunction in children with primary nocturnal enuresis
Linya Lv1, Huisheng Deng, Xuling Li
1Medical Examination Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. dhs666@yahoo.com.cn
Insights
Children with primary nocturnal enuresis show impaired afferent pathway function. Pudendal and tibial somatosensory evoked potentials were slower, particularly in complicated cases, indicating potential nerve dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Urology
Background:
- Primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) affects many children.
- The underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Investigating afferent pathway function is crucial for PNE management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate afferent pathway dysfunction in children with PNE.
- To measure pudendal somatosensory evoked potential (PSEP) and tibial somatosensory evoked potential (TSEP).
- To compare neurophysiological findings between complicated PNE (CPE) and monosymptomatic PNE (MPE) groups.
Main Methods:
- Enrolled 36 boys and 18 girls aged 5-16 years with PNE.
- Included 24 CPE and 30 MPE subjects.
- Excluded participants with significant urological/neurological abnormalities, except spina bifida occulta.
Main Results:
- Positive PSEP recordings were observed in all MPE and 20 CPE children (P < 0.05).
- TSEP was successfully recorded in both groups.
- Both PSEP and TSEP conduction velocities were slower than normal, especially in the CPE group (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Afferent pathway dysfunction is implicated in primary nocturnal enuresis.
- Impaired nerve conduction velocities suggest underlying neurophysiological factors.
- Clinicians and parents should consider these findings in managing PNE.
Objectives:
To investigate afferent pathway dysfunction in children with primary nocturnal enuresis by measuring pudendal somatosensory evoked potential and tibial somatosensory evoked potential.
Methods:
Subjects with primary nocturnal enuresis, 36 boys and 18 girls, aged from 5 to 16 years, were enrolled in this study: 24 subjects had complicated primary enuresis (CPE) and 30 subjects had monosymptomatic primary enuresis (MPE). There were no differences in bodyweight or gender between the MPE and CPE groups (P > 0.05). All of the children underwent physical examination, urine analysis, urinary ultrasound and spinal magnetic resonance imaging. Only subjects without urological and neurological abnormalities (with the exception of spina bifida occulta, which was found in some of the patients) were included in this neurophysiological study.
Results:
There were 20 children who were positively recorded with pudendal somatosensory evoked potential in the CPE group, and all of the children in the MPE group were positively recorded (P < 0.05). Positive records of tibial somatosensory evoked potential were successfully achieved in both groups. Furthermore, the pudendal and tibial conductive velocity were slower as compared to the normal range, especially in children in the CPE group (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Afferent pathway function may be impaired by some factors, which should be considered by both clinicians and parents.
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