when to consider the possibility of child maltreatment as the cause of nocturnal enuresis

Last reviewed 01/2018

Consider child maltreatment as the cause of nocturnal enuresis in the following situations:

  • in children who are reported to be deliberately bedwetting

  • children who are reported to being punished for bedwetting by their parents or carers despite professional advice that the symptom is involuntary

  • in children with persistent secondary daytime wetting or secondary bedwetting despite adequate assessment and management, unless it is caused by a medical condition such as urinary tract infection or clearly identified stressful situation that is not part of maltreatment, for example, bereavement, parental separation (1)

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