RESUMO
Objectives: To assess the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in primary school children, first grade [6-7 years old] in Assiut. City and study its pattern and risk factors
Patients and Methods: A random cross-sectional study including 1519 children was conducted in 10 primary schools in Assiut City throughout a period of six months. A self-administered questionnaire was completed voluntarily by the parents. Children reporting two or more incidents of nocturnal enuresis per month during the preceding year were considered positive repliers and were subjected to further evaluation. The control group consisting of 100 age-matched non-enuretic children presenting for other urologic or non-urologic problems mandating a plain abdominal X-ray, was subjected to the same evaluation. In these children the possible detection of spina bifida was the point of concern
Results: The response rate to the questionnaire was 79%. The prevalence of enuresis was 20.2%. Out of the enuretic children, 87.6% complained of nocturnal enuresis only; 72.1 % of them were primary enuretics. Monosymptomatic enuresis was observed in 46.3% of the cases. Marked enuresis [every night] affected 52% of the total number of enuretic children. Statistically significant risk factors were deep sleep and a high educational level of the parents. Primary nocturnal enuresis was insignificantly associated with a positive family history, family size or birth rank. In primary nocturnal enuretics the results of the urogenital and neurological examinations were normal in 91.5% and 80.6%, respectively, and only 4% received a specific treatment. A large amount of post-void residual urine was observed in 7.4%. Spina bifida occulta was observed in 10.8% of primary nocturnal enuretics and in 11 % of the control group
Conclusions: This is the first large population based study of the prevalence of agerelated enuresis in Assiut, but it does not differ much from those reported in other parts of the world. Enuretic children and their parents are mildly concerned about enuresis. Investigations for mono-symptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis are not of significant diagnostic value or cost effectiveness