One in six school-age children had daytime urinary symptoms

Design

Nationwide cross-sectional internet survey of caregivers, 2025

Population

3,100 children aged 6–15

Primary outcome

Prevalence of daytime LUTS, nocturnal enuresis and functional constipation

Effect

Daytime LUTS 17.5%; enuresis 5.1%; functional constipation 14.0%

This nationwide internet survey of caregivers, published in the Journal of Urology on 10 September, covered 3,100 children aged 6 to 15 using standard symptom scores.

Daytime lower urinary tract symptoms were reported in 17.5%, more often in boys, with urgency the commonest. Night-time wetting affected 5.1%, more boys than girls, and fell with age. Functional constipation by Rome III criteria affected 14.0% of both sexes.

Bladder and bowel symptoms are common in school-age children and often go unmentioned unless asked. It is a caregiver-reported survey from one country, so rates elsewhere may differ.

• Ask about daytime urgency and wetting at routine child health reviews.
• Ask about stool pattern in every child with urinary symptoms.
• Reassure families that night-time wetting usually improves with age.
• Use a validated symptom score to track change.

Why it matters

Symptoms this common are easy to miss unless someone asks.

Don't overread it

Caregiver-reported online survey data; not a clinical diagnosis.

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