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Nocturia in mothers and enuresis in children: Possible links
Sebastiano Mangani1, Francesca Sauro1, Alfredo Ponticelli1
1Department of Pediatrics, Clinica Sanatrix, Naples, Italy.
Insights
Childhood nocturnal enuresis (NE) is linked to parental nocturia in adulthood. Mothers with nocturia were more likely to have experienced NE as children, suggesting a familial connection.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is a common childhood condition.
- Parental nocturia may indicate underlying bladder issues.
- Investigating familial links can provide insights into NE etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between childhood NE and parental nocturia.
- To identify risk factors for NE persistence.
- To examine the relationship between overactive bladder symptoms in children and their mothers.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 225 children with NE and their 224 mothers.
- Data collected via interviews, bladder diaries, and frequency-volume charts.
- Bladder ultrasound performed on children and mothers to measure bladder wall thickness.
Main Results:
- 40% of mothers reported nocturia, with 61% having a history of childhood NE.
- Children with persistent NE (beyond 11 years) were more likely to have a parent with nocturia.
- Non-monosymptomatic NE in children correlated with maternal nocturia and overactive bladder symptoms.
Conclusions:
- A significant link exists between childhood NE and adult nocturia.
- Overactive bladder in children shows a strong association with overactive bladder in their mothers.
- These findings suggest a potential genetic or familial predisposition to bladder dysfunction.
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between nocturnal enuresis (NE) of childhood and nocturia of parents.
Material And Methods:
The study was conducted across the network of general pediatricians of the ASL NA 1 of Naples, Italy. All the children with NE and their mothers were invited to attend the clinic for the study. Data were collected by personal interview. A 5-day bladder diary was collected from all the children. The mothers with nocturia were given a 3-day frequency-volume chart to assess the presence of nocturnal polyuria or reduced bladder capacity. Both children and mothers underwent a bladder ultrasound scan to measure the bladder wall thickness.
Results:
A total of 224 mothers (aged between 23 and 45 years, average 33.3±4.1 years) and their 225 children (aged between 7 and 13 years, average 8.35±1.81 years) were investigated. Of the 224 mothers, 90 (40%) had nocturia, of which 55 (61%) clearly remembered that they had suffered from NE in childhood. Only 4 (11%) out of the 35 women without nocturia had NE (p<0.001). Children with persistence of NE beyond 11 years were more likely to have a parent with nocturia. Children with non-monosymptomatic NE were more likely to have mothers with nocturia (odds ratio (OR) 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-7.1, p<0.01) or overactive bladder symptoms (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-15.2, p<0.01).
Conclusion:
These data suggest that there is a link between NE in childhood and nocturia in adulthood. A strong relationship was found between overactive bladder in children and overactive bladder in their mothers.
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