Primary Nocturnal Enuresis and Intelligence Levels in Children: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Carola Costanza1,2, Maria Maddalena Marrapodi3, Laura Amoroso4

  • 1Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy.

PubMed

Insights

Children with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) show a slight, but not statistically significant, trend towards lower intelligence quotient scores compared to controls. Further research is needed to explore specific cognitive domains affected by PNE.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) is a condition with hypothesized links to cognitive deficits.
  • Previous research suggests potential impairments in intelligence and working memory in children with PNE.
  • The precise relationship and clinical significance of cognitive function in PNE remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically evaluate the association between primary nocturnal enuresis and cognitive functioning.
  • To conduct a meta-analysis to quantify the potential differences in cognitive performance between children with and without PNE.
  • To clarify the extent and significance of cognitive impairments in PNE.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed.
  • Data from 10 studies involving 9987 participants (1758 with PNE, 8229 controls) were analyzed.
  • Intelligence quotient (IQ) scores were the primary cognitive measure examined using pooled statistical analysis.

Main Results:

  • Children with PNE had a mean IQ score 2.44 points lower than control participants.
  • This difference in IQ scores was not statistically significant (p = 0.261).
  • The overall effect size was minimal, indicating a negligible impact on global intelligence.

Conclusions:

  • The meta-analysis indicates no statistically significant association between PNE and global intelligence.
  • A consistent trend suggests slightly lower IQ scores in children with PNE, warranting further investigation.
  • Future research should explore specific cognitive domains and neurodevelopmental factors related to PNE.

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