Surface Electromyography of Perianal Muscles in Children with and without Enuresis: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Enuresis or bedwetting is the most common urological problem seen in children from the age of 5-15 years. Various diagnostic procedures like urodynamics study, urinary system ultrasonography and Electromyography (EMG) are widely used. In most cases, endoanal probe is used for the procedure of EMG which is an invasive technique but surface EMG is pain free and easier.

Aim: To assess the activity of perianal muscle in children with enuresis using surface EMG.

Materials and Methods: Present study was a cross-sectional study in which 20 healthy children and 20 enuretic children in the age group of 5-15 years participated. Both boys and girls without central nervous system disorder were included. Surface EMG of the perianal muscles were performed. The homogenecity of demographic data like age, weight and height were checked using Student’s t-test. Normality of the data was established using Shapiro-Wilk’s test.

Results: On analysis, the mean age (years) of normal children was 8.75±2.09 and for enuretic children was 9.3±2.63. The mean value of amplitudes of surface EMG (Quotient of Motor Unit action Potential-QMUP) in normal children was 428.6±118.6 µV and for enuretic children was 248.01±45.85 µV (p<0.05). Mean score for enuretic girls was 260±42.95 and normal girls was 414.7±118.1 (p<0.05). Similarily, mean score for enuretic boys was 236±47.71 and normal boys were 442.8±123.7 (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The perianal muscle activity is lowered in children with enuresis than in their age matched normal children. In the enuretic children, there is a need to manage pelvic floor muscle strength along with neuronal control.