Pediatric daytime wetting (urinary incontinence)

What is pediatric daytime wetting (urinary incontinence)?

Daytime wetting – or incontinence – means that a child who should be potty trained wets their pants during the daytime hours. Most children are potty trained between the ages of 2 and 4, though a child can have daytime accidents for several months or even years afterward.

Children with medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or ADHD may be older before they are potty trained.

Risk factors

Daytime wetting is more common in females than it is in males.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric daytime wetting (urinary incontinence)?

• Bedwetting

• Pain with urination

• Squatting and/or grabbing genitals

• Urinary urgency and/or frequency 

• Weak urinary system

How is pediatric daytime wetting (urinary incontinence) diagnosed?

• Renal bladder ultrasound 

• Urine analysis 

• Uroflow 

• X-ray of the abdomen

• Video urodynamic study

• Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) 

• MRI of the spine

What are the causes of pediatric daytime wetting (urinary incontinence)?

Some of the possible causes of incontinence in children include:

• Bladder spasms

• Constipation

• Urinary tract infection (UTI) 

• Waiting to long to urinate (holding it)

How is pediatric daytime wetting (urinary incontinence) treated?

Whether your child’s voiding dysfunction is due to a physical, behavioral or an acquired problem, we will address your concerns and work with you to create an effective, individualized treatment plan. 

• Biofeedback

• Medication