Bedwetting is a common medical condition that has a serious impact on a child’s self-esteem, emotional well-being and day time functioning, including school and social performance2,3,5. Bedwetting has been linked to brain function/psychological problems and improvements in their working memory and other daily activities have been seen after treatment6.
The impact of bedwetting is often underestimated and training for healthcare professionals rarely includes specific guidance on bedwetting. Using the worldwide input of the steering committee members, the simplified guidelines act as a clear, reliable source of information to healthcare professionals across the globe, to improve treatment and thereby limit the child’s burden caused by bedwetting.
Professor Serdar Tekgül at the Department of Urology at Hacettepe University said, “Half of parents whose children wet the bed don’t seek medical help, preferring to try lifestyle solutions, which means there may be a significant delay before a patient has visited a healthcare professional about their bedwetting problem. So it really is important that when they see a doctor, they get the right support and guidance needed.”
##
About Bedwetting
Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is an uncontrollable leakage of urine while asleep7. In most cases it is caused by over-production of urine at night or reduced capacity of the bladder3. An inability to wake up can be another cause3. Bedwetting does not have a psychological cause3. Bedwetting is a common childhood medical condition, with approximately 5–10% of 7 year-olds regularly wetting their beds and the problem may persist into teenage and adulthood1.
About World Bedwetting Day
World Bedwetting Day was initiated to raise awareness among the public and healthcare professionals that bedwetting is a common medical condition that can and should be treated.
World Bedwetting Day 2017 will take place on Tuesday 30th May and occurs on the last Tuesday of May each year. The theme is: ‘Time to Take Action’, in recognition that much more can be done to diagnose and treat children who suffer from bedwetting.
For more information please visit www.worldbedwettingday.com.
About the World Bedwetting Day Steering Committee
The World Bedwetting Day Steering Committee brings together experts from across the globe to support this initiative and consists of the International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS), the European Society of Paediatric Urology (ESPU), the Asia Pacific Association of Paediatric Urology (APAPU), the International Paediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA), the European Society of Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN), the Sociedad Iberoamericana de Urologia Paediatrica (SIUP), and the North American Paediatric Urology Societies. The initiative is supported by Ferring Pharmaceuticals.
References
1 Nevéus T. Nocturnal enuresis—theoretic background and practical guidelines. Pediatr Nephrol. 2011; 26:1207–1214
2 Iannelli V. Bedwetting. Available at https://www.verywell.com/bedwetting-bedwetting-statistics-2633257. Last accessed January 2017.
3 Vande Walle J et al, Practical consensus guidelines for the management of enuresis. Eur J Pediatr 2012;171:971-98
4 Theunis M et al. Self-Image and Performance in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis. European Urology. 2002; 41:660-667
5 Joinson C et al. A United Kingdom population-based study of intellectual capacities in children with and without soiling, daytime wetting, and bed-wetting Pediatrics. 2007;120(2):e308-16
6 Van Herzeele C, Dhondt K, Roels S P et al. Desmopressin (melt) therapy in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and nocturnal polyuria results in improved neuropsychological functioning and sleep. Pediatr Nephrol. 2016; DOI 10.1007/s00467-016-23351-3
7 Austin P et al. The Standardization of Terminology of Lower Urinary Tract Function in Children and Adolescents: Update Report from the Standardization Committee of the International Children’s Continence Society, The Journal of Urology. 2014;191:1863-1865