Isolated extraordinary daytime urinary frequency of childhood: a case series of 26 children in Switzerland.
BACKGROUND
The term 'isolated extraordinary daytime urinary frequency' designates an abnormally increased diurnal frequency of painless urination in a completely toilet-trained child with normal urinalysis.


METHODS
We report the history of 26 children (16 boys and 10 girls; aged between 4.1 and 10 years) who were referred to us between 2002 and 2006 and subsequently diagnosed with this condition.


RESULTS
Possible psychosocial problems, or recent emotional stressors, were disclosed in the majority of the children: recent (36 months or less) asylum seekers (n = 9), school-related problems (n = 4), parental divorce (n = 2) or death of the mother (n = 1). Possible dietary causes were observed in 9 patients: oxalate-rich beverages (n = 5) and liberal ingestion of 'acidic' juices (n = 4). A diet low in oxalates was recommended when children were consuming large quantities of oxalate-rich beverages; and a diet low in acidic juice was recommended in those liberally ingesting acidic juices. Reassurance and observation were the approach in the remaining cases. The median duration of the symptoms was 5 months. A longer (p < 0.05) duration was noted in children of asylum seekers.


CONCLUSIONS
This functional condition is easily identifiable, but often under- or misdiagnosed. Confounding the condition might result in redundant investigation.
Corigliano
Teresa
T
Division of Pediatrics, Ospedale Bellinzona and Ospedale Mendrisio, Switzerland.
Renella
Raffaele
R
Robbiani
Anna
A
Riavis
Mauro
M
Bianchetti
Mario G
MG
D001628:Beverages; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010507:Periodicity; D011584:Psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013557:Switzerland; D013997:Time Factors; D014554:Urination