[Enuresis nocturna--neu studies of genetic, pathophysiologic and psychiatric correlations]

Nocturnal enuresis is characterized by a highly complex interaction of somatic and psychiatric factors. A primary monosymptomatic, a symptomatic (with diurnal rnicturition problems) and a secondary form (following a dry interval) can be differentiated. Despite deep sleep with difficult arousal, the sleep architecture itself is normal and enuretic episodes occur in every sleep stage without urodynamic changes. Changes in the circadian AVP-rhythm with nocturnal polyuria have been demonstrated repeatedly. Formal genetically, many families are compatible with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Linkage studies have shown a linkage of nocturnal enuresis with regions on chromosomes Nr. 8, 12 and 13. There is a significantly increased rate of psychiatric problems. The associations are complex, with psychiatric factors occurring both reactively following the enuresis, as well as being causally involved in secondary, but not in primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.