What Causes a Child to Develop Secondary Nocturnal Enuresis?

If your child has started wetting the bed after previously being dry at night, you may be wondering what could be causing this regression. This condition is called secondary nocturnal enuresis, and there are a number of potential causes. Keep reading to learn more about secondary nocturnal enuresis and what you can do to help your child.

Secondary nocturnal enuresis is bed wetting that starts after a child has been dry at night for at least six months. It's important to note that bed wetting is considered normal in children up to age 6, so secondary nocturnal enuresis only applies to children who are older than 6 and have previously been dry at night. If your child is younger than 6 or has never been dry at night, this is not secondary nocturnal enuresis

There are two types of secondary nocturnal enuresis: primary and non-primary. Primary secondary nocturnal enuresis is bed wetting that starts abruptly and with no obvious reason, while non-primary secondary nocturnal enuresis is bed wetting that starts after a stressful event, such as the death of a pet or a divorce in the family

Most cases of secondary nocturnal enuresis are primary, but both types are relatively rare. According to one estimate, only 1-2% of school-aged children experience secondary nocturnal enuresis

There are many potential causes of secondary nocturnal enuresis, including:

• Urinary tract infection: A urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause pain or burning during urination, frequent urination, and/or cloudy urine. UTIs are more common in girls than boys and can lead to bladder dysfunction
• Diabetes: Diabetes can cause increased urination at night due to high blood sugar levels. Other symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, fatigue, weight loss, and blurred vision
• Sleep disorders: Sleep disorders like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome can disrupt sleep and lead to bed wetting. Sleep disorders are more common in children who have ADHD or other behavioral problems
• Chronic constipation: Chronic constipation can lead to overflow incontinence, which means that the bladder overflows because it can't empty completely due to blockage from stool in the rectum. Constipation can also cause urinary tract infections
• Spinal cord abnormalities: Abnormalities in the spinal cord can disrupt nerve signals between the brain and the bladder, leading to bed wetting. Spinal cord abnormalities are rare but may be seen in children with spina bifida or another birth defect affecting the spinal cord
• Emotional stress: Emotional stress from events like divorce, bullying, or the death of a loved one can lead to bed wetting. Children who experience emotional stress may also have other symptoms like trouble sleeping, poor appetite, or irritability

If your child has started wetting the bed after being previously dry at night, it's important to talk to your pediatrician to rule out any underlying medical causes. Once any medical causes have been ruled out or treated, you can work on helping your child manage their bedwetting with behavioral interventions like scheduled bathroom breaks before bedtime or wearing absorbent nighttime underwear. With patience and support, your child will soon be back on track to staying dry all night long!

 Bed wetting is normal in children up to age 6, but if your school-aged child has started wetting the bed after being previously dry at night, this condition is called secondary nocturnal enuresis. There are many potential causes of secondary nocturnal enuresis including urinary tract infections, diabetes, sleep disorders, chronic constipation, emotional stress, and spinal cord abnormalities. If your child has started wetting the bed again after being previously dry at night, talk to your pediatrician to rule out any underlying medical causes and explore treatment options. With patience and support from family members, most children with secondary nocturnal enuresis will soon be back on track to staying dry all night long!