Sensory processing in children with functional daytime urinary incontinence: A comparative study with autism spectrum disorder

Background: 

Functional daytime urinary incontinence (DUI) is a frequently occurring condition among children. The etiology of DUI is multifactorial, involving genetic, biological, and psychosocial factors. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) seems related to DUI, as children with ASD have a higher risk of developing DUI. Sensory processing issues are prevalent in children with ASD and may contribute to DUI. 

Objective: 

This study aims to elucidate the role of sensory processing issues in children with functional daytime urinary incontinence in relation to ASD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including parents of children aged 6–12 years old, categorized into four groups: healthy children, children with DUI-only, children with ASD-only, and children with both DUI and ASD. Parents completed the Dutch version of the Short Sensory Profile (SSP-NL) to compare sensory processing between groups. 

Results: 

A total of 225 eligible children participated in this study, with 75 otherwise healthy children, 58 children with DUI-only, 49 with ASD-only, and 43 children with DUI and ASD. Children with DUI-only scored significantly lower compared to their healthy peers in the SSP-NL domains of ‘Low energy/weak’ and the quadrant ‘Low registration’, indicating sensory under-responsivity and potential limitations in multisensory processing. Children diagnosed with ASD had the most sensory processing issues, independent of their DUI status. 

Conclusion: 

Our study suggests that children with DUI may experience more sensory processing issues than their healthy peers. A better understanding of these issues associated with incontinence may improve urotherapy by taking into account children's sensory challenges and by teaching them adaptive behavior.