Involuntary loss of urine in children. What should parents know?
Involuntary loss of urine in children can be due to various factors — physical, functional, or even psychological. Here are the most common reasons:
Possible causes of incontinence or leakage of urine:
1. Functional incontinence
The child holds urine for a long time, avoiding the toilet. Children should urinate every three hours at the latest.
He may forget at play or school and not go on time.
There is essentially no damage, but difficulty in coordinating the bladder.
2. Overactive bladder
The bladder “contracts” suddenly and involuntarily.
The child feels a strong need to urinate and does not have time.
It is often accompanied by frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, and “leakage”.
3. Constipation
The stool-filled area of the bowel puts pressure on the bladder.
It often causes small leaks or a feeling of incomplete emptying
It is the most common cause of overactive bladder
4. Bedwetting
If the leakage occurs only during sleep.
Common in children, especially if there is a heredity. We deal with it after the age of 6, when there are no daytime symptoms.
5. Urinary tract infection
Can cause sudden leakage, stinging or even fever.
A urinalysis is needed for confirmation.
6. Anatomical or neurological causes (rare)
If there is a neurological problem such as myelomeningocele or urethral stricture.
They are evaluated by a pediatric urologist.
What parents can do:
Recording times of urination and accidents (called a “urinary diary”)
Frequent visits to the toilet – every 2-3 hours, even if “he doesn’t feel like it”
Treatment of any constipation
A visit to the pediatrician or pediatric urologist, mandatory if there are daily urine losses, which may indicate a serious pathology.
