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Published on: October 2, 2019
Behavioral problems in children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis
Sherifa Ahmed Hamed1, Mohamed Fawzy1, Enas Ahmed Hamed2
1Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt.
Insights
Children with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) exhibit increased behavioral issues, especially emotional and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms. Early intervention is crucial to address these problems and prevent future psychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) is a prevalent and distressing condition affecting children and their families.
- Understanding the behavioral characteristics associated with PMNE is essential for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequencies, severities, and specific characteristics of behavioral problems in children diagnosed with PMNE.
- To compare behavioral symptoms between children with PMNE and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 80 children with PMNE and 60 healthy controls.
- Behavioral symptoms were assessed using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
Main Results:
- Children with PMNE showed significantly higher frequencies of emotional, conduct, hyperactivity-inattention symptoms, and peer relationship problems compared to controls.
- Emotional and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms were independently associated with PMNE.
- Over 50% of children with PMNE presented with overlapping behavioral problems.
Conclusions:
- PMNE is linked to a higher risk of behavioral problems, particularly emotional and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms.
- Early interventions, including non-pharmacological and/or drug treatments, are recommended.
- Comorbid behavioral disorders require separate, evidence-based treatment to prevent persistent enuresis and future psychiatric issues.
Background And Objectives:
Primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) is a common distressing condition to children and parents. This study aimed to determine frequencies, severities and characteristics of behavioral problems with PMNE.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 80 children with PMNE (age: 12.58 ± 1.24 yrs.; boys = 58, girls = 22) and 60 healthy children. Behavioral symptoms were assessed by Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
Results:
This study included 80 children (boys/girls ratio = 2.64:1) with PMNE. They had mean age of 12.58 ± 1.24 yrs. The majority (70%) had good response to medical treatment. Compared to controls, children with enuresis had higher frequencies of emotional, conduct and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms and peer relationship and prosocial problems and higher total (P = 0.001) and different subscales' scores of SDQ. There was an overlap of behavioral problems in 52.2% of children with nocturnal enuresis. Compared to children without behavioral symptoms, children with behavioral symptoms were significantly older at age at presentation (P = 0.046) regardless of gender, residence and type or response to medications. Multiple regression analysis showed that emotional [β = 0.053 (95%CI = 0.037-0.084), P = 0.024] and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms [β = 0.063 (95%CI = 0.028-0.097), P = 0.001] were significantly associated with enuresis independent to other problems.
Conclusion:
PMNE is associated with higher risk of behavioral problems particularly emotional and hyperactivity-inattention symptoms indicating externalizing and internalizing problems, therefore, the importance of early non-pharmacological or/and drug interventions. The comorbid behavioral disorders should be treated separately according to evidence-based recommendations to prevent persistence of enuresis and the development of psychiatric disorders in the future.
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