DEVELOPMENT OF URINARY CONTROL IN CHILDREN

Abstract

A study of the development of urinary control in 1,000 children confirmed the belief that bladder control is a self-learned skill, which most children acquire by the age of 4 1/2 years. In the acquisition of urinary control the child learns to coordinate the use of the levator ani, the thoracic diaphragm, and the abdominal musculature, which constitute the "voluntary mechanism" of urination in the adult. Through the use of the "voluntary mechanism" the child doubles its bladder capacity by the age of 4 1/2 as compared to what it was at the age of 2 years. The enlarged bladder capacity insures night control of the urine. Children who fail to enlarge their bladder capacity become enuretic. The author believes that a potential enuretic can be recognized by the age of 3 years. A simple program which can be used to prevent and to eliminate bedwetting is described.