Page 1 - Bedwetting
P. 1
Urological Health
Bedwetting
Bedwetting is common in children, most often resolving over time with the support
and patience of parents.
edwetting or nocturnal enuresis (nighttime Behaviour modification
B wetting) is a common problem in children. Up
until the age of five years it is considered normal and Behaviour modification encourages a child to change
does not require investigation or treatment. Among his or her behaviour with rewards. Your child should
five year olds, about one in six will wet the bed. limit fluid consumption in the evening and urinate
Bedwetting may run in families. In almost all cases it regularly throughout the day, including immediately
resolves over time without treatment. before going to bed. It may be appropriate for a
parent to awaken the child a few hours later to void
Several theories have been proposed to explain again. Dry nights should be recorded on a calendar
bedwetting. A delay in the normal development with stickers of the child’s choice. A treat rewarded
of nighttime bladder control is thought to explain for a series of consecutive dry nights will contribute to
most cases. Rarely, bedwetting is the result of other your child’s sense of accomplishment.
underlying problems.
Punishment or negative feedback for bedwetting
Investigation should be avoided as they may increase the child’s
anxiety and often worsen the frequency of nighttime
accidents.
Your urologist will have asked you about your child’s
toilet training, usual voiding pattern and bowel habits.
The duration, frequency and severity of bedwetting Bedwetting alarm
will have been reviewed. Examination of the
abdomen, lower back and genitals will detect any Bedwetting alarms may be useful at helping children
acquire nighttime control. The ideal alarm has a
obvious anatomic abnormalities.
sensor that clips on to the child’s pyjamas. The first
A simple urine test will help rule out urinary infection drop of urine detected sets off an alarm, usually
and other abnormalities. In most cases no other a buzzer or gentle vibration. When the alarm is
investigations will be required. Further testing may be triggered, the child should awaken and finish voiding
required in children with severe daytime wetting, fecal in the toilet. At first, the child may not awaken when
soiling, urinary infections or physical abnormalities. the alarm is set off. It may be best for a parent to
sleep in the child’s room for the first few nights to help
Treatment out.
Many children will be conditioned to gain control
Most children with bedwetting will eventually develop with the use of an alarm. The alarm may not be
complete and reliable control without treatment. required beyond three to six months of use. If a child
Patience and gentle encouragement will minimize the is becoming frustrated after using the alarm for a
anxiety that a child may feel about bedwetting. few weeks, it may be best to take a break for a few
months and then try it again. Bedwetting alarms can
In some cases, treatment may be helpful to assist the
child in gaining control. Treatment falls into one of often be rented or purchased for about $100 through
three forms: a medical supply store.
1. behaviour modification,
Continued on next page
2. a bedwetting alarm, or,
3. medication.