Bed-wetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis is the unintentional dissemination of urine during sleep beyond a certain age limit. Urination, among infants and young children, is an involuntary process and majority of them gain some degree of bladder control by the age of 4 years.

However, some children fail to develop complete bladder control and can be a sign of other medical condition which requires consultation with a doctor. In certain instances, bed-wetting remains a problem even between the age group of 5 to 7 due to the absence of complete bladder control.

Nevertheless, after 7 years of age, only a small proportion of children still wet the bed which could be due to a combination of multiple factors. In most of the instances, bed-wetting is accompanied by unusual thrust, pain during urine discharge, hard stools or snoring.

What causes bed-wetting?

Multiple factors playing a significant role in bed-wetting include small bladder, hormonal imbalance, and infection in the urinary tract, diabetes or a structural defect in the urinary tract. The condition has also been correlated with an abnormality in the nervous system, family history, and stress/anxiety as well as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Excessive intake of fluids before bed, urinary tract infections, chronic constipation and sleep apnea are certain major risk factors which contribute to the development of enuresis. This can further lead to certain complications which include guilt and embarrassment leading to a decline in self-esteem and reduced opportunities in social activities ultimately causing a decline in the overall development of the affected child.