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Bedwetting is more serious
than you may think

Bedwetting, also called nocturnal enuresis, is involuntary voiding of the bladder while asleep. This condition concerns approximately 15-20 % of 5 year olds 1, 10% of 7 year olds 2 and 8% of 9 year olds 3, and may have a serious impact on affected children’s development and behaviour, such as loss of self-esteem, social difficulties, cognitive problems, and other psychological troubles, as well as on their families. The prevalence of bedwetting decreases with age, with 0.5-2% of adults being affected by this condition 4. Boys are more affected by bedwetting than girls. Contrary to what is often thought, bedwetting does not always resolve by itself.


REFERENCES
  1. Nørgaard JP et al. Experience and current status of research into the pathophysiology of nocturnal enuresis. Br J Urol 1997;79:825-835.
  2. Vande Walle J et al.Practical concensus guidelines for the management of enuresis. Eur J Pediatr 2012;171:971-983.Erratum in: Eur J Pediatr. 2012;171:1005: Eur J Pediatr. 2013;172:285.
  3. Butler RJ, Heron J. The prevalence of infrequent bedwetting and nocturnal enuresis in childhood. Scand J Urol Nephrol 2008;42:257-264.
  4. Yeung CK et al. Characteristics of primary nocturnal enuresis in adults: an epidemiological study. BJU Int 2004;93:341-345

Answer these questions

The questionnaire is created by the International Children’s Continence Society and is an approved method for self-assessment

Is your child 5 years old or more and wets the bed during sleep at night?

A

No.

Your child does not suffer from bedwetting - if your child is wet during the day
it is called day-time urinary incontinence and you should contact your doctor
about this condition.

B

Yes, but only occasionally (less than once per month).

Your child has bedwetting but in a very mild form - it is likely to disappear by
itself and if this is your child’s only complaint it is not necessary to see a doctor or
start treatment.

C

Yes, the bed is wet some nights (1-2 nights per week).

Your child has bedwetting with a moderate severity.
There is a small chance (approx 15-20 %) that it will resolve by itself within the next year.
We advise you to see your doctor and discuss possible treatments.

D

Yes, the bed is wet almost every night.

Your child has bedwetting in a severe form. The likelihood that it resolves by itself within
the next year is small. You should see your doctor and discuss possible treatments.


Does your child have any of the following symptoms besides wetting the bed?

A

Leakage of urine during the day.

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

B

Frequent voidings during the day.

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

C

Sudden or urgent need to urinate.

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

D

Need to push or strain to urinate.

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

E

Painful voiding.

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

F

Interrupted urinary stream or several voids after another?

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

G

History of urinary tract infection?

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

H

History of illness or malformation of the urinary tract or back?

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

I

Symptoms of constipation?

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

J

Behavioural problems, for example ADHD?

You should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

If yes to any of the above symptoms, you should see your doctor who will check whether the bedwetting is due to an underlying condition.

 

Adapted from Vande Walle J, Rittig S, Bauer S et al. Practical consensus guidelines for the management of enuresis. Eur J Pediatr 2012;171:971-983. Erratum in: Eur J Pediatr. 2012;171:1005: Eur J Pediatr. 2013;172:285.

REFERENCES

1. Djurhuus JC, Ritting S. Nocturnal enuresis. Curr Opin Urol 2002;12:317-320



Void

Void meter

Download this voiding diary to help record all bladder and bowel movements during the day and at night. This will help your doctor to see if there are any underlying problems with your child’s bladder

DOWNLOAD

Mood

Mood meter

You can either download this PDF and print out or fill it out and save to your computer. The mood meter will help your child record how they are feeling

DOWNLOAD

Help

Help meter

You can either download this PDF and print out or fill it out and save to your computer. It will be useful to take this with you when you visit the doctor to show him or her any help you have had with bedwetting so far

DOWNLOAD