Previous studies, based on clinic samples, report that enuresis in children is associated with behavior problems but the relationship between behavior problems and enuresis remains controversial. This population-based study investigates the prevalence and behavioral correlates of enuresis in a group of preschool children.

This cross-sectional survey involved 370 parents and their 5 to 7 years old children, all residents of Istanbul, Turkey. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist and sociodemographic data form. Fifty-three children with enuresis were compared to 303 nonsymptomatic children. Differences in the mean scores and the percentages of children falling beyond preselected clinical thresholds were compared across the groups.

The prevalence of enuresis was 14,9 and enuresis was more frequent among boys. Children with enuresis were reported by their parents to have greater social problems and total problem scores compared with control children (p = 0,019, p = 0,048 respectively). However there were no differences in the percentages of children falling beyond preselected clinical thresholds among the groups.

Enuresis is common in 5 to 7 years-old children. As a group, children with enuresis differ from children without enuresis on behavioral parameters, children with enuresis had the higher mean scores of behavioral problems than do controls, however clinically relevant behavioral problems did not showed differences between groups. Given the inconsistent research findings across studies, the longitudinal research and outcome effect studies could help determine whether there is a causal relationship between psychopathology and enuresis.