Enuresis: practical guidelines for primary care

Step 1: Minimal guidelines (essential)

The first medical appointment for children with enuresis is usually with the GP when the child is aged ≥5 years. Treatment of enuresis below the age of 5 years is not recommended.

At this stage, it is essential to screen for patients with bladder dysfunction (for example, overactive bladder [OAB], daytime incontinence) using questions such as those proposed in Table 1.¹

Absence of bladder dysfunction indicates that the patient probably has MNE, and physicians should proceed to (optional) Step 2 of assessment, or treatment.

A positive answer to any questions in Table 1 suggests underlying bladder dysfunction and NMNE, and referral to a specialised treatment centre is necessary. However, OAB can be induced by constipation and, in these patients, advice regarding food and fluid intake is recommended. If this results in resolution of the constipation and OAB but not enuresis, Step 2 in the assessment (or treatment) can be initiated.

Step 2: Extended assessment (recommended)

This second step is not essential but is advisable because the chance of identifying the true pathophysiology of enuresis, and thereby prescribing effective first-line treatment, increases. In this extended assessment procedure, the patient completes two diaries. Examples of the diaries can be found at http://www.drydawn.ie. The first is a 2-day daytime bladder diary to assess the bladder capacity of the child by measuring the MVV during daytime (excluding morning void). Drinking and voiding habits can also be recorded.

The second diary records the amount of urine produced during 7 consecutive nights to ascertain whether nocturnal polyuria is present. Urine volume can be calculated by the sum of the diaper weight (1 g = 1 mL), the morning void volume, and any nocturia void volumes.

First-line treatment for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

As mentioned, treatment of enuresis in primary care is only advisable if MNE is suspected (that is, no daytime bladder dysfunction is detected). Treatment selection for MNE is individualised based on diary data from Step 2 of the diagnostic procedure, if performed, or on the general suitability for the family if not.

Depending on aetiology, different treatment options are available. Nocturnal polyuria can be treated using the vasopressin analogue desmopressin, which reduces the amount of urine during the night. In most countries the recommended starting dose for children is 120 µg/day (melt) or 200 mg/day (tablet). Desmopressin treatment can be optimised by following appropriate recommendations.⁵ If children with nocturnal polyuria are unresponsive to desmopressin despite good adherence, referral is advised. Increasing the dose is not recommended in primary care.

Small MVV and arousal problems in children with MNE are treated using a bedwetting alarm. Although this can be effective, the alarm should only be used in motivated, supportive families because of the likely burden caused by repeated triggering of a nocturnal alarm. Adherence should be monitored. Enuresis caused by nocturnal polyuria and small MVV can benefit from combination treatment with alarm and desmopressin.

Although only evidence based for the improvement of NMNE, basic urotherapy advice regarding drinking schedule and toilet posture is often recommended in MNE. Patients should drink sufficiently during the day (∼1000 mL/day for child of 10 kg; 1500 mL/day for child of 20 kg), and achieve urinary output ∼30–40 mL/kg, with fluid restriction before sleep. A trial of this advice can be recommended before the start of alarm/desmopressin.

Although both alarm and desmopressin treatment are successful in a large proportion of patients, some are therapy resistant. This should be mentioned at the first consultation to minimise frustration and drop-outs. Enuresis is a complex condition, and a more complex approach is sometimes necessary, for example, due to comorbidities including sleep and psychological problems. Specialist referral is then necessary.

Whatever the choice of treatment, family doctors should recognise that enuresis can be a heavy burden for families and offer basic advice on how to tackle the condition.