Is Rectal Diameter a Predictor of Daytime Urinary Incontinence in Pediatric Patients?

Objective: With this study, we aimed to evaulate the relationship between daytime urinary incontinence and transverse rectal diameter by using transabdominal ultrasound. Method: In this study, pediatric patients were evaluated with symptoms of daytime urinary incontinence referred to the pediatric nephrology clinics of XXX University Faculty of Medicine between November 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023. This observational, cross-sectional study was carried out after obtaining ethics approval. The Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score developed by the International Children’s Continence Society was used for the diagnosis of lower urinary tract symptoms. Patients with a The Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score of ≥9 points were considered as having lower urinary tract symptoms. Transvers rectal diameter measurement was obtained behind the bladder in the axial plane from the outer wall to the outer wall of the rectum. The patients were assessed by the same radiologist. Results: A total of 77 children were included in the study. The daytime urinary incontinence group included 39 children (19 boys, 20 girls), while the control group included 38 (16 boys, 22 girls) healthy children. There was no statistically significant difference between the patient group with daytime urinary incontinence and healthy control group when compared in terms of transverse rectal diameter measurements (p=0.387, t=0.870). There was no association between transverse rectal diameter and daytime urinary incontinence (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our data suggest that increased rectal diameter is not the only predisposing factor for daytime urinary incontinence and neural mechanisms such as cross-organ sensitization are also may be effective in daytime urinary incontinence.