Bed-wetting in Chinese children: Epidemiology and predictive factors

• Published in: Neurourology and urodynamics 2007-01, Vol.26 (4), p.512-517
• Main Authors: Wang, Qing Wei, Wen, Jian Guo, Song, Dong Kui, Su, Jing, Zhu, Qing Hua, Liu, Kui, Che, Ying Yu, Du, Ai Min, Wei, Jin Xing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age Factors; Arousal - physiology; bed-wetting; Child; Child, Preschool; China - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; epidemiology; Female; Humans; Infant; Logistic Models; Male; Nocturnal Enuresis - epidemiology; predictive factors; Risk Factors; Rural Population; Sex Factors; Urban Population
• ISSN: 0733-2467; 1520-6777
• DOI: 10.1002/nau.20373

Aims To estimate the prevalence and severity of bed‐wetting in 1–18‐year‐old Chinese children. Materials and Methods A cross‐sectional study of bed‐wetting was performed by using 13,515 self‐administered questionnaires distributed to the parents of 1–18‐year‐old Chinese children in Henan province. The prevalence of bed‐wetting was determined. The relationship of wetting to age, gender, community characteristics (rural or urban), arousal dysfunction, associated day‐time symptoms (frequency, urgency, and incontinence), and family history were analyzed. Results There was a response rate of 87% (5,978 boys and 5,786 girls). The overall prevalence of bed‐wetting was 23.03% in those aged 1–4, 5.66% in those 5–12, and 1.37% in those 13–18. When a logistic regression analysis was applied to determine risk factors for the bed‐wetting, a positive relationship was seen with male gender and living in rural areas. Further, living in rural areas, arousal dysfunction, and associated day symptoms were significantly related to more severe bed‐wetting. Only 3.64% of the children had undergone professional evaluation. Conclusion The prevalence of bed‐wetting is significant in Chinese children, but lower than in most western countries, which is likely due to cultural differences. Living in rural areas, having arousal dysfunction, and having associated day‐time symptoms may be predicative factors for marked bed‐wetting. Neurourol. Urodynam. 26:512–517, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.