Toddlers that have been potty trained may continue to have occasional accidents. However, if your child is suddenly leaking urine frequently, it may be caused by a few issues other than your child's young age. Your child may be regressing because of a recent life event, your child may have a bladder-control issue such as overactive bladder or she may have an illness.
Stress Incontinence
Anxiety and stressful life events may interfere with your child's toilet training, or it may cause an already toilet-trained child to regress. Stressful events such as the birth of a sibling, a divorce in the family, or even attending a new daycare can cause your child to regress and begin wetting his pants again even if he has been using the toilet reliably for six months or more, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Talk to your child and try to help him work out his feelings. In time, he may get back on track.
Overactive Bladder
If your child is potty trained and begins leaking urine or having accidents, she may be suffering from overactive bladder syndrome. Overactive bladder syndrome is caused by a problem with involuntary contractions of the large bladder muscle, or detrusor. If your child is experiencing overactive bladder syndrome, she may have a sudden urge to go followed by wetting her pants or the bed. This condition may be caused by a structural deficiency or it may be the result of a bladder infection. The treatment for overactive bladder syndrome depends on what caused it.
Illness
Some illnesses can cause children to become incontinent. Urinary tract infections are one common culprit. Other bladder irritants such as a pinworm infection can cause incontinence. Bladder leakage may also be caused by other more serious conditions such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease. In addition, some chronic conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy or multiple sclerosis can cause your child to become incontinent. Tumors or trauma to the bladder can also cause your child to leak urine.
When to Consult Your Pediatrician
If your child was toilet trained and then begins to leak urine, contact your pediatrician. Your child may be having accidents because of something normal such as being too busy playing to use the toilet until it is too late, or he may simply have a small bladder. However, your pediatrician may wish to conduct tests too ensure that he isn't having bladder control problems because of a more serious condition like a urinary tract infection or a structural problem with the bladder or urinary tract.
