15.09.2020

Causes of UI in children

Up to a certain age, it is natural for children to not have full control over their bladder. However, it can be challenging when a child should be able to control their physiological functions but is unable to do so. 

Children may be reluctant to speak up about their problem because of shame or embarrassment. 

Bladder control and the development of all the associated bodily functions and mechanisms are not instinctual. They have to be learned. Developing these skills happens gradually as a child grows and is typically complete by the age of 3-5. 

The normal progression of toilet training is for a child to first learn to control their physiological functions during the day and later gradually learn how to hold urine overnight.

There are 2 basic disorder types:

1. Urinary incontinence – This is uncontrolled urine loss. A child may be aware of the fact they are losing urine, but can’t control it.
2. Involuntary wetting –  This is uncontrolled urination from a child old enough to have been toilet trained, but that is unable to control their bladder. It is a function disorder that is not connected with urinary tract damage. Many times this is when the bladder is voided completely during sleep.

The most common reasons for urine loss problems in children:

• urinary tract infections or defects
• bladder tumour
• cerebral palsy
• physical disability
• obesity
• constipations
• diabetes
• food allergies
• epilepsy
• neurological disorders
• psychological problems.

Involuntary bedwetting at night is the most common. Learn more about this problem here.