The Types of Bedwetting

Primary Enuresis

Primary Functional Enuresis is also known as chronic bedwetting. This occurs in toddlers who have not yet started going through the night with a dry bed. This chronic bed wetting is thought to be related to an immature bladder (physically too small or neurologically immature) or children sleeping so deeply they do not wake up when the bladder sends a message to the brain that it is full and the child needs to go to the bathroom. Another possible cause of nocturnal enuresis could be overproduction of urine during sleep. This is sometimes an inherited condition. Often other members of the child’s family will have had some form of bedwetting. Also, children with learning disabilities, allergies, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, or attention deficit disorder are more likely to wet the bed than other children.

Secondary Enuresis

Secondary enuresis occurs in children who have slept through the night dry for a period of time ranging from 6 months and longer. These children may have occasional periods of bedwetting. These often happen due to stresses in a child’s life and will pass with time. Common events that can cause secondary enuresis are starting school, the birth of a new baby sister or brother, or hospitalization. Family problems such as divorce or the loss of a job can also distress a child and appear as bedwetting.

If nocturnal enuresis persists, you may want to take your child to their pediatrician, as this could be caused by a physical problem, such as constipation, diabetes, or sleep apnea.