Bedwetting in Children

Bedwetting can be treated

Most children who wet the bed will eventually outgrow the condition, but for some this condition might persist into adulthood.¹
Most children have developed control of their bladder by the age of 5 years.² However, boys do tend to develop proper bladder control and maintain dryness at night later than girls.²
Bedwetting at ages 6 - 7 years becomes problematic because the child is in school and
may experience social problems.^2,3

How common is bedwetting?

Around 19 % of school-aged children wet the bed
– it is one of the most common of all childhood problems.¹

What causes bedwetting?

Bedwetting can be caused by one or a combination of the following:⁴
Difficulty to rouse from sleep:⁴
When the child is asleep, the brain doesn’t get the message that the full bladder needs to be emptied.
Overactive or twitchy bladder:⁴
If the bladder is overactive, the bladder muscle becomes “twitchy” and can only hold small amounts of urine. A “twitchy” bladder may spontaneously contract during sleep, which can result in wetting.
Overproduction of urine during the night:⁴
If the child has low levels of vasopressin (a naturally occurring substance) at night, they may produce more urine than the bladder can hold.

Why treat bedwetting?

When a child is very young, bedwetting may not seem like a concern, but as they get older, persistent bedwetting can be a distressing experience for both the child and the family.^4,5
By leaving it untreated, the child or teenager can suffer an increased risk of:^1,4,5,6

Low self esteem
Strong feelings of shame and guilt
Avoidance of social activities
Underachieving at school
A sense of difference from others
Victimisation

Clinical research has shown that bedwetting can have a significant negative impact on a child’s emotional and social development.⁶

Won’t they just grow out of it?

Each year about 14 % of children do grow out of wetting the bed. But bedwetting often doesn’t resolve by itself – for some children, the problem continues into adulthood. In fact, bedwetting occurs in 2 - 3 % of adults.¹

How can I help my child or teenager?

Reassure your child that this is a common problem and is not his/her fault⁷
Encourage your child to go to the toilet frequently during the day, especially just
before bedtime and on awakening⁷
Reduce the amount of fluid consumed in the evening⁷
Encourage physical activity⁷

Effective treatment is available.

If your child is 6 years of age or older, still wets the bed and is unhappy and uncomfortable about it, you should contact your doctor for advice.^2,7

For more on Understanding Bedwetting in kids

More Information here Download PDF Medical References

Medical References

Caldwell P, et al. Management of childhood enuresis. Med Today 2008;9(8):16-24.
van Dyk JC, et al. South African guidelines for the management of nocturnal enuresis. SAMJ 2003;93(5):338-340.
Hjalmas K, et al. Nocturnal Enuresis: An International Evidence Based Management Strategy. The Journal
of Urology 2004;171:2545-2561.
Butler RJ, et al. The Three Systems: a Conceptual Way of Understanding Nocturnal Enuresis. Scand J Urol Nephrol, 2000;34(4):270-277.
Butler R, et al. Overcoming parental intolerance in childhood nocturnal enuresis: a survey of professional opinion. BJU Int 2002;89:295-297.
Hägglöf B et al. Self-esteem Before and After Treatment in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis and Urinary Incontinence. Scand J Urol Nephrol 1996;79-82.
Neveus T, et al. Evaluation of and Treatment for Monosymptomatic Enuresis: A Standardization Document From the International Children’s Continence Society. J of Urology 2010;183:441-447.

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December 13, 2018 | Categories: Health Conditions A-Z, Infants & Children

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