Problems with urinary or bowel control are fairly common for youngsters. But there are solutions.

"Imagine the frustration of the parents whose (supposedly) toilet-trained child still wets him or herself all the time, has no idea when he needs to potty until too late, who needs extra underwear for school, or who hides wet, smelly underwear throughout the house," said Ronald Sutherland, a pediatric urologist with Kapi'olani Medical Center.

Sutherland said incontinence is often the result of an improper routine. It may develop by ignoring signs that it's time to go to the bathroom at school, for example. When kids delay or hold their urine, they may also be holding and delaying bowel movements and constipation can arise. Constipation and incontinence can go hand in hand, with one leading to the other.

Sutherland has adapted information from the National Kidney Foundation to educate parents. The disorder is behavioral, rather than congenital, and can lead to other problems, such as urinary tract infections.

Most of the serious problems can be prevented by early recognition and treatment of the underlying cause, Sutherland said.

For the simple "holder," changing behavior by sending the child to the bathroom every two to three hours will usually correct the problem.

For nighttime bedwetting, Sutherland advises teaching kids to restrict food and caffeinated beverages before sleep.

Using training tools like dry pads can also help. This applies to big kids, too.

"School-age and older children may start holding bowel movements when they go to school or summer camp and are faced with a toilet less private than the one at home," said pediatric gastroenterologist Jeremy King, also affiliated with Kapi'olani.

"In my career, I have met very few children who regularly use the restroom at school to have a bowel movement."

When in doubt, or if you can't fix the problem, see a doctor.

"While most teenagers will be embarrassed or even uncomfortable talking about their bowel habits with their parents, I encourage parents to not be shy," King said. "Often, teenagers have been suffering in silence and secrecy for years."

"Most pediatricians will have resources," Sutherland said, adding that symptoms "vary with everyone, in whatever development stage they're in."