Sensory processing in children with functional daytime urinary incontinence: A comparative study with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND

Functional daytime urinary incontinence (DUI) is a frequently occurring condition among children. The etiology of DUI is multifactorial, involving genetic, biological, and psychosocial factors. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) seems related to DUI, as children with ASD have a higher risk of developing DUI. Sensory processing issues are prevalent in children with ASD and may contribute to DUI.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to elucidate the role of sensory processing issues in children with functional daytime urinary incontinence in relation to ASD.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted, including parents of children aged 6-12 years old, categorized into four groups: healthy children, children with DUI-only, children with ASD-only, and children with both DUI and ASD. Parents completed the Dutch version of the Short Sensory Profile (SSP-NL) to compare sensory processing between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 225 eligible children participated in this study, with 75 otherwise healthy children, 58 children with DUI-only, 49 with ASD-only, and 43 children with DUI and ASD. Children with DUI-only scored significantly lower compared to their healthy peers in the SSP-NL domains of 'Low energy/weak' and the quadrant 'Low registration', indicating sensory under-responsivity and potential limitations in multisensory processing. Children diagnosed with ASD had the most sensory processing issues, independent of their DUI status.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that children with DUI may experience more sensory processing issues than their healthy peers. A better understanding of these issues associated with incontinence may improve urotherapy by taking into account children's sensory challenges and by teaching them adaptive behavior.