THE NATURAL-HISTORY OF URINARY SYMPTOMS DURING ADOLESCENCE

Objective To determine the prevalence and natural history of urinary s ymptoms and incontinence among healthy adolescent schoolchildren. Subj ects and methods A prospective longitudinal study using a confidential questionnaire administered to an original cohort of 1176 local school children at 11-12 gears and again at 15-16 years old. Results There wa s a decrease in the prevalence of urinary symptoms with age. Daywettin g was reported by 12.5% of children aged 11-12 years and 3.0% of child ren aged 15-16 years. Nocturnal enuresis was reported by 4.7% of child ren at 11-12 years and 1.1% at 15-16 years. Some of the children repor ting daywetting and nocturnal enuresis at 15-16 years old had not repo rted these symptoms at 11-12 years old. Conclusion Urinary symptoms be come less prevalent with age, but are reported by a significant number of healthy schoolchildren.