Bed-Wetting: Should My Child See a Doctor?

Children gain bladder control at different ages. Although most children can stay dry through the night by age 5 or 6, some children take longer. A few may still wet now and then until age 10 and older. If a child is otherwise healthy and seems to have more dry nights as he or she gets older, the bed-wetting most likely does not have a medical cause.

Exams and tests rarely show a cause for bed-wetting. The doctor will check your child and ask questions about the bed-wetting. A careful medical history and exam usually are all that is needed to reassure you and your child that there is nothing physically wrong.

Sometimes a urinary tract infection can cause accidental wetting, especially if a child who has been dry starts to wet again (secondary enuresis). Urine tests commonly are done to help find a possible infection.

If there is a medical reason for a child's wetting, there usually are signs other than bed-wetting. These signs, such as a urine stream that doesn't flow normally, can often be found during an exam. If the doctor notices something unusual about the child's urine stream (spraying, stops and starts), he or she may suggest some tests. A problem with the way the urinary tract is formed is rarely the cause of accidental wetting.

An exam for bed-wetting should be no more stressful for your child than going for a routine checkup. But your child may feel uneasy talking to a doctor about bed-wetting. Your child may feel that it's his or her fault that he or she wets the bed. Reassure your child that there is nothing to be ashamed of and that it's normal for some children to take longer to gain bladder control than others.

If you decide to take your child to the doctor, you may want to talk to your child ahead of time about what to expect during the visit. This may help ease any stress your child may feel about going to the doctor. Your doctor will look for any health problem that might cause your child to wet the bed.

If a health problem isn't found, your doctor may suggest ways that you can help manage your child's bed-wetting at home, such as having your child use the toilet before going to bed. Or your doctor may suggest ways that your child can learn how to gain control over his or her bladder.

There is very little risk to not taking your child to the doctor. You and your doctor may agree to wait a few months and see whether your child begins to gain better bladder control and have more dry nights. If things don't go as you expect, you can discuss having your child checked at that point.

Your doctor might recommend that you schedule a visit if:

• Your child has symptoms such as a fever, belly pain, or pain during urination. These may be signs of a urinary tract infection.
• Your child had been dry for 3 months or longer and has begun to wet again. This may be a sign of a health problem, such as stress or a urinary tract infection.
• You are worried about how bed-wetting affects your relationship with your child or your child's relationships with other children.
• You are concerned that your child age 7 or older should have stopped wetting by now.