Ureteric jet Doppler waveform and bladder wall thickness in children with nocturnal enuresis

To test the hypothesis that the presence of nocturnal enuresis is related to increased frequency of immature vesicoureteric function, which is further associated with detrusor overactivity, we compared the incidence of immature monophasic ureteric jet in children with and without nocturnal enuresis. The relationship between monophasic ureteric jet Doppler wave form and bladder wall thickness was further explored in the enuresis group. Ultrasound examinations were performed in 511 children suffering from nocturnal enuresis and 266 normal controls. Doppler wave forms of the ureteric jet on each side and the bladder wall thickness after voiding were recorded. Standard urodynamic studies were obtained in 203 enuretic children for correlations with ultrasound findings. There was a significant increase in the incidence of monophasic ureteric jet waveforms in enuretic children when compared with the controls (19.2% versus 6.4% on the right side, 19.2% versus 8.3% on the left side, all p < 0.01). Furthermore, immature monophasic waveforms were more commonly seen in the enuretic group with markedly thickened bladder wall. Enuretic children with bilateral immature ureteric jet waveforms and markedly thickened bladder wall showed multiple significant urodynamic abnormalities (p < 0.05). The above observations could be accounted for by immaturity of both vesicoureteric junction and detrusor muscle.