Neurophysiological study of primary nocturnal enuresis

The purpose of this study was to investigate nervous system involvement in primary nocturnal enuresis by using electrophysiological techniques, Ninete en boys with primary nocturnal enuresis and 25 boys without uroneurological abnormalities were included. Data about their psychomotor development, mic turition, and defecation were obtained by interviewing the boys and their p arents. The penile sensory threshold for electrical stimuli was determined. Single acid averaged bulbucavernosus reflex (BCR), and averaged pudendal s omatosensory evoked potentials (PSEP) to electrical stimulation, were recor ded. The only statistically significant difference found in enuretic childr en was longer latencies of averaged BCR to single electrical stimulation (P = 0.03). No significant BCR latency differ ences to stimulation with doubl e electrical pulses and no PSEP latency differences were found. By using el ectrophysiological techniques, differences between the enuretic and control group of boys were demonstrated. Our results can be interpreted as indicat ing hypoexcitabilily of sphincter nuclei. Along with the reported hyperexci tability of bladder motor nuclei, a minor dysfunction in the neurocontrol o f the lower urinary tract, in at least a subgroup of enuretic children, can be postulated. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.