Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is a common challenge faced by many families, but its impact can go beyond just nighttime frustration. A recent study suggests that children who frequently wet the bed may have an underlying vitamin deficiency.
Children are considered to have primary nocturnal enuresis when they urinate involuntarily at night, despite reaching an age when they would normally be expected to have bladder control. It may be due to several reasons reason These include small bladder size, abnormal sleep patterns, increased urine output at night, and delayed central nervous system development. Other factors, such as stress, anxiety and family history, may also increase risk.
the latest one study Research published in the Annals of Medicine suggests that children with primary nocturnal enuresis may be more susceptible to vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, as well as vitamin B12 deficiency.
this Discover The study was based on an analysis of 288 children who presented to the outpatient clinic of the Children's Hospital of Cairo University in Egypt for nocturnal enuresis. 48.3% of them were deficient in vitamin D, 31.3% of them were deficient in vitamin D, and 25% were deficient in vitamin B12.
The study found that lower vitamin D was more strongly associated with more bedwetting than low levels of vitamin B12. Specifically, children were more likely to develop bedwetting problems if their vitamin D levels were below 13.7 ng/mL. Researchers believe that maintaining high vitamin D levels and behavioral therapy are protective factors that increase the chance of nighttime dryness.
“Vitamin D deficiency may be the most common vitamin D abnormality in children with primary nocturnal enuresis. Vitamin D deficiency may be more common than vitamin B12 deficiency in children with severe enuresis. This study may require further Research to examine possible uses of vitamin D.
The study also explains how vitamin D affects bladder function. Vitamin D receptors are found in the muscles and lining of the bladder, which means it plays an important role in how the bladder works. When vitamin D is sufficient, it can help reduce unnecessary bladder contractions by calming sensory signals when the bladder is full. However, when children have low vitamin D levels, they may experience uncontrolled bladder contractions. Low vitamin D levels increase the risk of recurring urinary tract infections, which can lead to bladder problems.
Based on the findings, the researchers recommend screening children with nocturnal enuresis for vitamin D and vitamin B12 levels, which may otherwise go undetected.