Researchers studied 184 children with bedwetting problems and compared them to 167 healthy kids. They found that children with low vitamin B12 levels were twice as likely to wet the bed at night. About 54% of bedwetting children had low or borderline low B12 levels, compared to only 39% of children without bedwetting issues. While family history was still the biggest risk factor, this study suggests that checking vitamin B12 levels might help doctors better understand and treat bedwetting in children.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether children who wet the bed at night have lower vitamin B12 levels than children who don’t
  • Who participated: 351 children aged 5-15 years - 184 with bedwetting problems and 167 healthy children for comparison
  • Key finding: Children with low vitamin B12 were about twice as likely to have bedwetting problems compared to children with normal B12 levels
  • What it means for you: If your child has bedwetting issues, it may be worth asking their doctor to check their vitamin B12 levels, though family history remains the strongest predictor

The Research Details

This was a case-control study, which means researchers compared two groups of children - those with bedwetting problems and those without. They measured vitamin B12 levels in blood samples from all participants and looked for differences between the groups. The researchers also collected information about each child’s age, gender, and whether their family had a history of bedwetting. They divided B12 levels into three categories: deficient (very low), borderline (somewhat low), and normal.

This type of study design is good for identifying potential risk factors because it directly compares people with and without a condition. By matching the control group for age and gender, the researchers could focus on whether B12 levels specifically were different between bedwetting and non-bedwetting children.

The study included a good number of participants (351 total) and used proper statistical methods to account for other factors like family history. However, as an observational study, it can only show associations, not prove that low B12 causes bedwetting.

What the Results Show

The study found clear differences in vitamin B12 levels between children with and without bedwetting. In the bedwetting group, 12.5% had deficient B12 levels, 41.3% had borderline levels, and 46.2% had normal levels. In the healthy control group, only 9.6% had deficient levels, 29.3% had borderline levels, and 61.1% had normal levels. When researchers accounted for other factors, children with B12 deficiency were about twice as likely to have bedwetting problems. Family history remained the strongest predictor, making children over 8 times more likely to wet the bed if relatives had similar issues.

The borderline B12 category showed an interesting pattern - while more common in bedwetting children, it wasn’t statistically significant as an independent risk factor. This suggests that severely low B12 levels may be more important than mildly low levels for bedwetting risk.

This appears to be one of the first studies to specifically examine the relationship between vitamin B12 and bedwetting in children. Previous research has focused more on other factors like bladder capacity, sleep patterns, and hormonal issues.

The study cannot prove that low B12 causes bedwetting - it only shows they occur together more often. The researchers didn’t track whether treating B12 deficiency improved bedwetting, and they didn’t measure other nutrients that might also play a role.

The Bottom Line

Parents of children with persistent bedwetting may want to discuss vitamin B12 testing with their pediatrician, especially if other treatments haven’t been effective. However, addressing family history and traditional bedwetting treatments should remain the primary focus.

Parents of children aged 5-15 with ongoing bedwetting issues, particularly if the child has dietary restrictions or other signs of possible B12 deficiency like fatigue or pale skin. This is less relevant for children who only occasionally wet the bed.

If B12 deficiency is found and treated, improvements in bedwetting might take several months to become apparent, as B12 levels need time to normalize and any neurological effects to resolve.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track bedwetting frequency, dietary intake of B12-rich foods (meat, fish, dairy, fortified cereals), and any symptoms that might suggest B12 deficiency
  • Ensure adequate intake of B12-rich foods in your child’s diet and maintain a bedwetting diary to identify patterns and track progress
  • Log bedwetting episodes, dietary patterns, and any interventions tried, while working with healthcare providers to monitor B12 levels if deficiency is suspected

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your child’s pediatrician before making changes to their diet or treatment plan, especially regarding vitamin supplementation.