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Night and day wetting among a population of three-year-olds
Insights
This study found higher prevalence of day and night wetting in three-year-olds than previously reported. Child continence appears primarily linked to maturation, not social or emotional stress.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Urinary incontinence in young children is a common concern for parents and healthcare providers.
- Previous research has explored various contributing factors, including developmental, environmental, and psychological influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of nocturnal (night) and diurnal (day) wetting in a cohort of three-year-old children.
- To investigate potential associations between wetting status and factors such as social, emotional, and physical stress.
Main Methods:
- An epidemiological study involving 705 three-year-old children.
- Data collection focused on assessing day and night wetting prevalence and associated developmental factors.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates for wetting were higher than typically reported: 56% of boys and 40% of girls experienced night wetting, while 22% of boys and 12% of girls experienced day wetting.
- Minimal evidence was found linking wetting status to social, emotional, or physical stresses.
Conclusions:
- Wetting in three-year-olds is predominantly influenced by maturational factors.
- The study highlights higher-than-expected incontinence rates, suggesting a need for further investigation into contributing elements and developmental milestones.
Abstract:
An epidemiological study of the emotional and intellectual development of 705 three-year-old children was used to estimate the prevalence of day and night wetting and to examine some factors associated with continence. 56 per cent of boys and 40 per cent of girls were stated to be wet at night. 22 per cent of boys and 12 per cent of girls were wet by day. These prevalence rates are higher than those reported in most other studies, and the possible reasons for this are discussed. Wetting at this age seems to be largely under the control of maturational factors, there being minimal evidence of an association between wetting status and a wide variety of social, emotional and physical stresses.