Ferring Pharma Holds Nocturnal Enuresis Media Awareness Seminar Explaining Link to Sleep and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Ferring Pharma held a media seminar on Monday, March 23, 2026, focusing on the link between nocturnal enuresis and child development, sleep, and neurodevelopmental disorders, where specialists provided explanations on these relationships.

Nocturnal enuresis is often overlooked as something children will naturally outgrow, but it can affect a child's self-esteem and quality of life, making early consultation and appropriate intervention crucial.

To deepen public understanding of nocturnal enuresis, the 14th online public lecture, "Basics of Nocturnal Enuresis and Key Points for Consultation," will be held on Sunday, May 17, from 14:00 to 15:00.

[Tokyo, March 23, 2026] – Ferring Pharma Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: John Pulver; hereinafter "Ferring Pharma") held a nocturnal enuresis awareness media seminar titled "What's Behind That 'Bedwetting'? Considering Development and Sleep from Children's Nocturnal Enuresis." This time, Dr. Yuichi Ikeda from Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital and Dr. Munenori Kure from Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital were invited to give lectures from their respective specialized perspectives on the basic knowledge of nocturnal enuresis, as well as its connection to child development, sleep, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

■ What is Nocturnal Enuresis, Which Can Lower a Child's Self-Esteem?

Bedwetting is often thought to resolve on its own, but if it occurs once a month or more for three consecutive months after the age of 5, it is defined as "nocturnal enuresis" (*1). Nocturnal enuresis is a common condition seen in a certain number of elementary and junior high school students, affecting approximately 15% of kindergarten-aged children and about 5% of 5th and 6th graders (*2). However, the consultation rate for nocturnal enuresis is low, and many children are not connected to medical care at the appropriate time. Furthermore, nocturnal enuresis is not merely a urinary problem; it has been reported that children with nocturnal enuresis often have lower self-evaluation and self-esteem (*3).

Conversely, there are reports that self-evaluation improved with therapeutic intervention, highlighting the importance of early intervention.

■ The Link Between Nocturnal Enuresis and Sleep/Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Developmental Disabilities)

One cause of nocturnal enuresis is the inability to wake up due to the urge to urinate during sleep. Reports suggest that treating nocturnal enuresis tends to improve sleep quality (*4), indicating that sleep rhythm and depth may be involved in nocturnal enuresis. In nocturnal enuresis care, it is crucial to adopt a perspective that encompasses not only urinary issues but also the child's overall sleep and daily life.

Moreover, with increasing social interest in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD in recent years, it is known that children with neurodevelopmental disorders are more likely to have urinary dysfunction compared to typically developing children. Nocturnal enuresis is one such condition, with co-occurrence of nocturnal enuresis and daytime urinary incontinence reported in cases of ADHD and ASD (*5). Furthermore, the proportion of students requiring support in schools is increasing, underscoring the important role of primary care physicians.

■ Seminar Content

First, Dr. Ikeda's lecture covered basic information on nocturnal enuresis, including its definition, prevalence, causes, and treatment methods. He showed that nocturnal enuresis is a common condition affecting about 20% of 5-year-olds and 5-10% of 10-year-olds, yet the consultation rate remains low (*6). He also pointed out that nocturnal enuresis can lead to decreased self-esteem in children, anxiety about overnight events, and increased burden and stress for families. Furthermore, he explained that children with nocturnal enuresis often experience reduced "sleep quality" due to fragmented sleep, which can lead to daytime sleepiness, academic difficulties, and even mental health issues. He introduced that multiple factors are involved, such as "increased nocturnal urine volume," "bladder capacity issues," and "inability to wake up due to urinary urge," and that treatment tailored to the type is important. He stated that improvement can be expected in many children by combining lifestyle guidance with pharmacotherapy and alarm therapy.

Professor Yuichi Ikeda, Department of Pediatrics, Showa University School of Medicine

Next, Dr. Kure lectured on the link between nocturnal enuresis and neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD and ASD) and the significance of treatment. He explained that nocturnal enuresis is common in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting approximately 20% of children with ADHD (*7) and 16-75% of children with ASD (*8). While treatment can be challenging due to multiple interacting factors in neurodevelopmental disorders, nocturnal enuresis treatment can serve as an entry point for supporting children. He also noted that although nocturnal enuresis is not life-threatening, it has significant psychosocial impacts, potentially leading to a "vicious cycle" of stress and decreased self-esteem for both parents and children. He then emphasized that the essence of treatment is not just symptom improvement, but "maintaining self-esteem and supporting growth," and highlighted the importance of focusing on "behavior" rather than results, such as "taking medication" or "attending consultations."