More Bedwetting in Children with ADHD

Now there is research to confirm what many families have reported-that their child with ADHD also has bedwetting.

This retrospective study (358 kids with ADHD and 729 age-and gender-matched controls) found that children with ADHD were 2.1 times more likely to have bedwetting than the controls.

Researchers found that 75% of the affected children were male, which is consistent with the general population, in which twice as many males as females have bedwetting. They also found that children with ADHD were 1.8 times more likely to have encopresis (stool soiling).

This study differed from most others that look at the prevalence of ADHD in bedwetting children. This study looked at children who had a definitive diagnosis of ADHD, then ascertained whether they had bedwetting or encopresis. Both types of studies confirm the co-morbidity of ADHD, enuresis and encopresis.

Do discuss bedwetting or stooling problems with your child's health care provider. This study made no suggestion as to why this happens.

The good news is that children who have ADHD can get to dryness just like kids without attention problems. Bedwetting alarms work for kids with ADHD.

3 Things to Help You Be Successful When Using a Bedwetting Alarm:

-Choose a time to start using an alarm when medication is already adjusted, things are going well at school and at home and your child is ready to take steps to curtail bedwetting.

-Patience is important when using an alarm. Discuss expectations with your child. It can take many weeks to become completely dry, but the effort is worth the permanent dryness that can be achieved.

-Medication may or may not affect your child's sleep patterns. Discuss the dosing schedule with your doctor.