title: Neuromotor development in nocturnal enuresis.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg (Saar), Germany. alexander.von.gontard@uniklinikum-saarland.de
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: von Gontard
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Freitag
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seifen
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pukrop
authors.forename: Dagmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Röhling
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004775:Enuresis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis