You can call it bed-wetting or nocturnal enuresis, but it's all the same--an embarrassing problem for the child experiencing it. Bed-wetting is a developmental stage that most kids go through, according to MayoClinic.com. The site adds that bed-wetting occurring prior to the ages of 6 or 7 isn't a cause for concern.
Overfilling of the Bladder
The Cleveland Clinic explains that at night, the body produces a hormone to slow the production of urine. Under normal circumstances, the body produces enough of this hormone at night, reducing the urge to urinate. In some cases, the body doesn't produce enough, resulting in the bladder overfilling with urine. Should a child not sense the urge to urinate, bed-wetting occurs.
Stressful Events
Some children experience stressful events such as moving to a new location, his parents having another child, divorce or the death of a person close to him. When these events occur, so can bed-wetting. The Cleveland Clinic adds that should these types of events happen when a child is between the ages of 2 and 4, bed-wetting might occur before his bladder is fully developed. For any such event after the age of 4, bed-wetting might occur even if he has been dry for months.
Bed-Wetting May Be Inherited
MayoClinic.com points out that this problem might be inherited. If both of the parents were bed-wetters, their child has an 80 percent chance of being a bed-wetter, too.
Physical Problems
Some children suffer from nocturnal enuresis because of physical or structural problems. The Cleveland Clinic explains that while structural problems account for a small number of cases, they do exist. These include a blocked bladder or urethra which result in the bladder overfilling and leaking. Nerve damage is another problem.
A Delay In Development
Children develop at different rates and for some children, this results in bed-wetting. If a child between the ages of 5 and 10 is still suffering from this problem, it might be from a smaller bladder, longer periods of sleep or the underdevelopment of the body's ability to signal a full bladder. The Cleveland Clinic points out that most children will out grow this problem as her bladder grows.
