Urinary incontinence isn't just a problem for older adults. According to studies, approximately 3% of 7-year-olds lose urinary control during the day at least twice a week. Dealing with urinary incontinence at school can be emotionally challenging for kids and may be linked to a higher risk of psychological problems, researchers say.

Parents of 8,213 7- to 9-year-olds with daytime wetting answered questions about the kids' toilet habits and emotional and behavior problems at school or home. The kids also underwent testing to evaluate developmental delays.

Based on parental reports, kids with daytime wetting had psychological problems (especially attention, hyperactivity, and other behavior issues) at twice the rate of kids who remained dry. In addition, the percentage of developmental delays in the wetting group was more than double that of kids who remained dry.

Researchers also discovered that soiling (or pooping) problems also proved common, affecting one third of the kids who wet themselves.

What This Means to You

The results of this study indicate that daytime wetting may be more than an embarrassing inconvenience for kids — it may be linked to attention and behavior problems. Causes of urinary incontinence include problems learning bladder control, infection, or abnormalities in the urinary tract. If your child experiences urinary incontinence (in girls, past age 5; in boys, past age 6) or behavioral problems, talk to your doctor. He or she may recommend testing for problems or behavioral strategies to help your child achieve daytime urine control.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: November 2006

Source: Carol Joinson, PhD; Jon Heron, PhD; Alexander von Gontard, MD; the ALSPAC Study Team, Pediatrics, November 2006.