Table 4

Parents’ explanations for the 10 most common symptoms

SymptomnNumber with explanation for symptom
n (%)
Most common explanations
n (%)
Polydipsia8558 (68.2)Hot weather19 (32.8)
Infection13 (22.4)
Activity/travel10 (17.2)
Polyuria7347 (64.4)Drinking more29 (61.7)
Urine infection6 (12.7)
Diabetes4 (8.5)
Tiredness6644 (66.7)School related12 (27.3)
Infection5 (11.9)
Nocturia4 (9.5)
Nocturia6440 (62.5)Drinking more26 (65.0)
Diabetes4 (10.0)
Urine infection3 (7.5)
Weight loss5633 (58.9)Growth related15 (45.5)
Decreased appetite4 (12.1)
Increased activity3 (9.1)
Changes in behaviour/mood4831 (64.6)Tiredness10 (32.3)
Age related/puberty7 (22.6)
Infection/illness6 (19.4)
Change in appetite4528 (62.2)Growth related14 (50.0)
Infection5 (17.9)
Holiday related2 (7.1)
Abdominal pain3719 (51.4)Infection4 (21.1)
School related3 (15.8)
Period pains3 (15.8)
Nocturnal enuresis3323 (69.7)Drinking more13 (56.5)
Tired4 (17.4)
School related3 (13.0)
Different smelling breath3114 (45.2)Poor dental hygiene4 (28.6)
Infection3 (21.4)
Diabetes3 (21.4)