Background: Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (LUTD) and constipation in children are prevalent conditions that affect not only physical health but also emotional and psychosocial well-being. In response to these conditions, punitive parenting practices may emerge as an inadequate response, exacerbating stress and anxiety in children, thereby complicating treatment challenges and diminishing quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the association between parental punishment and symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction in children. Additionally, it sought to analyze whether the familial and psychosocial characteristics of children with lower urinary tract dysfunction are associated with punitive practices. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 188 pediatric patients diagnosed with LUTD and presenting daytime urinary symptoms. The Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) and Rome IV criteria were used to assess the severity of urinary symptoms and constipation, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, employing Mann-Whitney tests for numerical variables and Chi-Square tests for categorical variables. Results: Among the patients studied, 48.9% reported experiencing some form of punishment. A significant association was observed between the presence of daytime incontinence and the application of parental punishments (p=0.01), with 83% of children with this symptom experiencing punishments. Additionally, there was an association between punishments and the presence of enuresis (p=0.041). The analysis also indicated a significant correlation with caregiver impatience (p<0.001), the interference of symptoms in patients' social lives (p<0.01), paternal family history of LUTD (p=0.025), and unwanted pregnancy (p=0.023) with the adoption of punitive practices. Conclusion: This study demonstrated an association between urinary symptoms, specifically daytime incontinence and enuresis, and the presence of parental punishment. Additionally, psychosocial and familial aspects were also associated with punitive practices, highlighting the importance of educational interventions directed at parents and caregivers to improve the quality of life of patients.
Keywords: Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction, Parental Punishment, Constipation.
