Enuresis and hyperventilation response in the EEG.

A total of 420 enuretic children aged between four and 15 years and 100 controls were examined by EEG in order to determine their hyperventilation response, which is considered to be a non-specific sign of brain dysfunction or of cortical instability as a result of delayed maturation. It was found that an increased hyperventilation response occurred mainly among children with primary enuresis (bed-wetters from birth). This was true even if the children had a 'uropathy'. It was also commoner among the children with pathological EEGs at rest. The results for those with secondary enuresis (later onset) were similar to the controls. These findings indicate that disturbed cerebral control of the bladder is an important factor in primary enuresis. Psychological factors are thought to account for the occurrence of secondary enuresis.