Enuresis as a Presenting Symptom of Graves’ Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

Enuresis is intermittent urinary incontinence during sleep at night in children aged 5 years or older. The main pathophysiology of enuresis involves nocturnal polyuria, abnormal sleep arousal, and low functional bladder capacity. In rare cases, enuresis is an early symptom of endocrine disorders such as diabetes or thyroid disorders. Herein, we report a case of a 12-year-old girl with enuresis as a rare initial presentation of Graves’ disease. She complained of nocturnal enuresis from a month before visiting our clinic. She also complained of urinary frequency, headache, and weight loss. On physical examination, she had tachycardia, intention tremors, and a diffuse goiter on her anterior neck with bruit on auscultation. Her thyroid function test results revealed hyperthyroidism, and Graves’ disease was diagnosed as the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor autoantibody was positive. After treatment for Graves’ disease with methimazole, symptoms of enuresis resolved within 2 weeks as she became clinically and biochemically euthyroid. In children with secondary enuresis, Graves’ disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis, and signs of hyperthyroidism should be checked for carefully.

Keywords

• enuresis
• urination disorders
• graves’ disease
• hyperthyroidism