ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION In this chapter, we discuss dysfunctional voiding as it applies to the pediatric population. Urinary incontinence is a normal transitional phase between infantile and adult lower urinary tract function; consequently, wetting disorders are often considered a necessary nuisance associatedwith the growing years. This is usually tolerated until the child is believed to lag behind peers in achieving a state of dryness. Similar to other developmental milestones, children mature and develop bladder control differently. Parental concerns about voiding are common and often supersede the child’s anxiety. Knowledge of normal acquisition of day and nighttime urinary control and significant departures from these normal patterns is important for health professionals to determine if treatment is warranted. It is interesting to speculate that pediatric dysfunctional voiding may serve as a precursor to urinary problems frequently seen in adult women.
