Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis

Materials and Methods:

A total of 120 children with nocturnal enuresis 6 to 12 years old participated in a prevalence study. A diagnostic interview was conducted with parents, questionnaires were completed by parents and teachers, and medical files were consulted.

Results:

Of all enuretic children 15% were diagnosed with the full syndrome of ADHD and 22.5% met the criteria of the ADHD inattentive subtype. Data revealed that the older the children (9 to 12 years), the higher prevalence of attention deficit disorder or ADHD. Nocturnal polyuria had a significantly higher incidence in hyperactive/impulsive children but there was no significant difference in bladder function between enuretic children with or without a comorbid diagnosis of ADHD.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of attention deficit disorder or ADHD in nocturnal enuresis is significantly increased, especially in older children. The incidence of nocturnal polyuria is slightly increased in children who meet at least the criteria of ADHD hyperactive/impulsive subtype. No other associations between enuresis and ADHD were found.

DIETER BAEYENS ^{1 , 2} , HERBERT ROEYERS ³ ,PIET HOEBEKE ⁴ ,SYLVIE VERTÉ ⁵ ,ELINE VAN HOECKE ⁶ and JOHAN VANDE WALLE ⁷ From the Department of Psychology, Developmental Disorders (DB, HR, SV) and Pediatric Uro/Nephrological Center (DB, PH, EVH, JVW), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium Available online 1 November 2005.