Metabolic Control and Nocturnal Enuresis in Children With Type 1 Diabetes

This study examined the relationship between metabolic control and enuresis in youths with type 1 diabetes. Participants were 203 youths with type 1 diabetes at an outpatient pediatric diabetes clinic. Outcome measures included HbA_lc, nocturia, blood glucose, polydipsia, frequency of daytime urination, and diabetic ketoacidosis. The mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) level of children with enuresis (FBG = 192 mg/dl) was significantly higher than that of children without enuresis (FBG = 160 mg/dl, p = .03). Differences in HbA_lc levels between children with enuresis and those without enuresis approached significance (9.2% vs. 8.6%, p = .07). Findings indicate that metabolic control indices (FBG, HbA_1c, polyuria, and polydipsia) are related to nocturnal enuresis in youths with type 1 diabetes. Further studies should determine the mechanism by which this relationship occurs to initiate appropriate interventions.