Primary and Secondary Enuresis: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Abstract

Context: Enuresis is a common and possibly underestimated condition. While 5-10% of school-aged children suffer from the condition, a lack of background knowledge may impede timely child-adapted and successful therapy.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of enuresis.

Evidence acquisition: Guideline and position papers from the European Society of Pediatric Urology, the European Association of Urology, and the International Children's Continence Society were acquired. PubMed was searched for literature on enuresis, and all papers published in the last 5 yr were considered. The most relevant information from the papers with the highest level of evidence was extracted and incorporated into the review.

Evidence synthesis: An altered antidiuretic hormone profile, arousal failure, and delayed bladder maturation are the main pathophysiological factors in primary enuresis. Coexisting constipation, obstructive airway disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obesity, and genetic preconditions influence its prevalence. Diagnosis relies on history-taking and simple noninvasive examinations to differentiate monosymptomatic enuresis and patients with daytime symptoms. It is essential to exclude daytime voiding symptoms, overactive bladder, dysfunctional voiding, and urinary tract infections. Further imaging is indicated in complex cases with a suspicion of underlying congenital malformations or systemic or endocrine diseases and in children refractory to initial therapy. In secondary enuresis, psychological causes should also be taken into consideration. While desmopressin melt tablets and alarm systems constitute the mainstays of treatment in monosymptomatic enuresis, anticholinergics and urotherapy play an additional role in nonmonosymptomatic enuresis. For therapy-refractory cases, after a thorough re-investigation to identify any missed comorbidities and anatomical or functional causes of enuresis, combination therapy and stationary urotherapy might be promising options.

Conclusions: While enuresis seems to be an often underestimated condition in terms of the suffering that children and their families, there are efficacious therapy options once a correct and full diagnosis is made.

Patient summary: This article reviews primary and secondary nocturnal enuresis, which is the medical term for the condition whereby children wet their beds regularly after their first birthday. We describe the background of enuresis,including its complex underlying mechanisms, as well as diagnosis and treatment in the light of current scientific publications. We conclude that while enuresis seems to be an often underestimated condition in terms of the suffering that children and their families may undergo, there are efficacious therapy options once a correct and full diagnosis is made.

Keywords: Childhood incontinence; Enuresis; Pediatric overactive bladder; Pediatric urology.