Enuresis--an unattended comorbidity of childhood obesity

Y Weintraub1, S Singer, D Alexander

  • 1Pediatric Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel. dryaelw@gmail.com

Insights

Obese children have a significantly higher risk of enuresis (bedwetting). This finding suggests enuresis should be a key consideration when evaluating obese youth.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Obesity Research
  • Urology

Background:

  • Obesity is increasingly prevalent in children and adolescents.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), type 2 diabetes mellitus, and psychopathological issues are more common in obese and enuretic children.
  • The relationship between childhood obesity and enuresis requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that the prevalence of enuresis is increased in obese children and adolescents.
  • To identify risk factors associated with enuresis in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 281 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years.
  • Participants completed questionnaires on enuresis, medical conditions, and sociodemographic parameters.
  • Subjects were categorized into normal weight (n=158), overweight (n=37), and obese (n=86) based on BMI percentiles.

Main Results:

  • Enuresis prevalence was significantly higher in obese (30%) and overweight (16%) youth compared to normal weight (8.8%) youth.
  • Obesity was associated with a 6.5-fold increased odds of enuresis (OR=6.5, P<0.0001).
  • Increased BMI-Z score, male gender, family history of enuresis, voiding dysfunction, and ADHD were associated with higher enuresis risk.

Conclusions:

  • Obese children and adolescents face an elevated risk of enuresis.
  • Enuresis should be routinely assessed during the primary evaluation of obese pediatric patients.
Abstract

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