Occasional bedwetting and other mild bladder issues come with the territory of having children. But in some cases, they may point to a more significant or chronic problem that could require medical attention. If you think you have reason to be concerned, learn the facts about childhood bladder problems, including what causes them, how to spot them and when they call for a trip to the pediatrician.
Age
At birth and during infancy, your child's bladder fills with urine and empties automatically. The urine leaves the bladder and exits the body through a tube called the urethra. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, a child's bladder generally holds 1 to 1.5 oz. for each year of life; thus, if your child is 3 years old, then her bladder should be able to hold 3 to 4.5 oz. of urine. (see reference 1, how does the urinary tract typically function?) Sometime between the ages of 2 and 3 years, most children develop the ability to control urination, which requires communication between the bladder and brain, as well as control over multiple different bladder muscles.
Types
Infections and incontinence are two of the most common types of bladder problems that develop in children. Urinary tract infections develop when bacteria invade and proliferate in part of the urinary tract, typically the bladder or urethra. According to the NKUDIC, the overall risk of developing a urinary tract infection during childhood is approximately 8 percent for girls and 2 percent for boys. Incontinence occurs when your child is unable to control the urge to urinate. More common in boys than girls, incontinence develops in approximately 10 percent of 5-year-old children, notes the NKUDIC, and generally becomes less likely as your child gets older.
Symptoms
Depending upon your child's age, he may demonstrate a variety of symptoms when suffering from a urinary tract infection. Young children may show nothing more than a fever or irritability during urination; older children often demonstrate painful or frequent urination, blood-tinged, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, nausea, and abdominal pain. According to Rosie Kelly, a registered nurse and contributing author for the book "Effective Management of Bladder and Bowel Problems in Children," signs of incontinence include an urgent or frequent need to urinate, leakage and dribbling incidents; nocturnal enuresis or nighttime bedwetting often also accompanies incontinence in children, as well.
Factors
Multiple factors can contribute to bladder problems in children, including physical development, daily habits and stress. Developing proper bathroom hygiene habits -- such as wiping from front to back in girls -- can help minimize your child's chances of developing a urinary tract infection. Factors that may cause or contribute to incontinence include an undersized or overactive bladder, excessive urine production, anxiety or stress, structural abnormalities, and other health conditions, like sleep apnea.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Urinary tract infections require prompt antibiotic treatment in order to keep the infection from leading to complications, like a kidney infection. If you suspect your child has a urinary tract infection, take her to the pediatrician immediately for diagnosis; the doctor will typically conduct a physical examination and collect a urine sample for testing. In many cases, children mature and grow out of the problem causing their incontinence. Urinary tract abnormalities may require surgery; other treatment options for chronic incontinence or nighttime bedwetting include medication and bladder training.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Tract Infections in Children
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Incontinence in Children
- "Effective Management of Bladder and Bowel Problems in Children"; Rosie Kelly et al; 2007
- National Association for Continence: Pediatric Bedwetting
