In a significant minority of children who wet the bed no reason can be found.
Often it is passed on through the family. About 70 per cent of children who wet their beds either have a brother, sister or a parent who has experienced the same problem. Studies have localised a genetic predisposition to this condition.
It may have a medical, social or psychological cause such as constipation, kidney disease, cystitis, diabetes, sensitivity to certain food or food additives; and problems at school, at home, or the divorce of parents.
One explanation could be that these children are heavy sleepers who do not wake up when their bladder is full. Also, some children develop bladder control later than others.
At night, some children produce too little of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which controls the production of urine. Tablets containing desmopressin (eg Desmotabs) may help. The child needs to be examined by a doctor who will then decide whether treatment is necessary.
