Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Table of Contents - 2006 - Volume 48, Issue 09  


Original Articles

Neuromotor development in nocturnal enuresis

Alexander von Gontard  a1 c1, Christine M Freitag  a1, Stephanie Seifen  a2, Ralf Pukrop  a3 and Dagmar Röhling  a2
a1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg (Saar), Germany.
a2 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital of the University of Cologne, Germany.
a3 Department of Psychiatry, Hospital of the University of Cologne, Germany.

Abstract

In children with nocturnal enuresis, a higher rate of minor neurological dysfunction has been found. The aim of this study was to assess timed performance (a measure of motor performance speed) and associated movements using a standardized and reliable instrument. The motor function of 37 children with nocturnal enuresis (27 males, 10 females; mean age 10y 7mo [SD 1y 10mo]; age range 8y–14y 8mo) and 40 comparison children without enuresis (17 males, 23 females; mean age 10y 7mo [SD 1y 6mo]; age range 8y–14y 8mo) was assessed using the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment. Children with nocturnal enuresis showed a slower motor performance than comparison children, particularly for repetitive hand and finger movements. This study provides evidence for a maturational deficit in motor performance in children with nocturnal enuresis. In addition to a maturational deficit of the brainstem, it is proposed that there is a possible maturational deficit of the motor cortex circuitry and related cortical areas in children with nocturnal enuresis.

(Published Online August 14 2006)
(Accepted September 9 2005)


Correspondence:
c1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, 66421 Homburg (Saar), Germany. E-mail: alexander.von.gontard@uniklinikum-saarland.de

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