Background: Nocturnal enuresis is a common problem in pediatric patients. Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis may result from the combination of excessive nocturnal urine production (NP), nocturnal overactive bladder Overactive Bladder Overactive Bladder (OAB) and failure to awaken in response to bladder sensations. Several studies noted the main role of arousal dysfunction (AD) and arousal threshold in the pathogenesis of nocturnal enuresis. The correlation of AD, OAB and NP was not tested.
Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the depth of sleep and arousal dysfunction among enuretic children and the relation with nocturnal polyuria and/or bladder dysfunction.
Methods: A retrospective study was performed at Meir General Hospital and Schneider Children`s Medical Center. At both Nocturnal Enuresis Clinics 63 children, aged 10±3years (range5-17 years / 33 boys, 30 girls) were enrolled in the study. All the children and their families answered a questionnaire.
Results: There was no significant difference between the genders. Family tendencies for nocturnal enuresis exist. All children with enuresis had normal cognitive and motor development. The average depth of sleep in enuretic children was 9.1±1.0.The fathers` depth of sleep7.2±2.4 was significantly higher than the mothers` 5.2±2.3. No difference was found in the depth of sleep among the sibling genders. There was a significant correlation of depth of sleep and OAB.
Conclusion: Deep sleep is common in children that suffer from nocturnal enuresis. There is a correlation between the depth of sleep and bladder function. Further studies should be performed examining the relation between AD, OAB and NP.
