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Bedwetting and behavioural and/or emotional problems
R A Hirasing1, F J van Leerdam, L B Bolk-Bennink
1TNO Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Insights
This study found no significant link between childhood bedwetting (enuresis nocturna) and behavioral or emotional problems. While some children with bedwetting fell into the clinical range, their issues did not worsen over time.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Childhood enuresis nocturna (bedwetting) is a common concern for parents and healthcare providers.
- Understanding the relationship between bedwetting and behavioral/emotional issues is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between nocturnal enuresis and the severity of behavioral and emotional problems in Dutch children.
- To examine the longitudinal course of these problems in children with bedwetting.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study was conducted in the West-Mine Region of the Netherlands.
- 66 children with bedwetting, born in 1983, were followed for one year.
- The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and a bedwetting questionnaire were used to assess problems.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) scores were found between children with bedwetting and the norm population.
- There was no correlation between the severity of behavioral/emotional problems and the frequency of bedwetting.
- A higher than expected proportion of children with bedwetting scored in the clinical range for behavioral issues.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral and emotional problems in children with bedwetting did not differ significantly over time or compared to a norm group.
- No differences in behavioral/emotional problems were observed between primary and secondary bedwetters.
- The frequency of bedwetting did not appear to have specific consequences for behavioral or emotional well-being.
Objective:
To assess the link between enuresis nocturna and the severity of behavioural and/or emotional problems in Dutch children and the course of these problems.
Setting:
West-Mine Region in the Netherlands.
Subjects And Methods:
Prospective cohort study involving 66 of the 80 bedwetting children from all 1652 children born in 1983 in this region. After 1 y, contact was still possible with 64 of the enuretics. We used the Dutch version of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and a questionnaire about bedwetting.
Results:
The mean T-score for Total Problems (CBCL score) in 1992 (M1; mean age 8.6) was 52.1, and 1 y later was 49.2 (M2). There was no significant difference in the CBCL scores for M1, M2 and a matching group from the Dutch CBCL norm population, either in the group who remained wet or in the group who became dry. There were no differences between the sexes. There was no link between the severity of behavioural and emotional problems and the frequency of bedwetting. However, more children with bedwetting than expected were in the clinical range.
Conclusion:
There was no difference in behavioural and/or emotional problems between the first and the second measurement and the matching group from the CBCL norm group. There were no differences in behavioural and/or emotional problems between primary and secondary bedwetters, nor were there any consequences related to the frequency of bedwetting.