What is the most suitable initial approach for managing a 5-year-old boy with new-onset bedwetting?

In evaluating a 5-year-old boy with new-onset bedwetting, a complete urinalysis is often the most suitable initial approach because it provides fundamental information about the child's urinary tract function and health. This non-invasive test can help identify potential underlying causes of bedwetting, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, or other renal issues.

Performing a complete urinalysis allows healthcare providers to assess for signs of infection, glucose, protein, and red blood cells, which can indicate various pathological processes. This step is crucial before proceeding to more invasive or specialized tests, as untreated conditions like UTIs could exacerbate the issue or complicate treatment.

While urine culture may be indicated later if infection is suspected from urinalysis results, conducting it at the outset without initial screening may delay management if there are other primary concerns. Voiding cystourethrogram is more invasive and not typically used as a first-line diagnostic tool in this context until other significant issues are identified. Although an enuresis alarm can be effective for certain cases of enuresis, it is usually recommended after assessing the child’s health state and ruling out any medical conditions. Thus, a complete urinalysis stands out as the most appropriate and comprehensive