BASIC INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION
Involuntary urination during sleep that occurs more
often than once a month in girls over 5 and in boys over
6 years of age. It is more common in boys than in girls.
The occurrence of bed-wetting in children is 15% at age
5, 10% at age 6, 7% at age 8, 3% at age 12 and 1% at age
18.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Bed-wetting at night (occasionally during the day). This
is not significant until a child is older than 6.
CAUSES
- In most cases, the cause of bed-wetting is unknown.
The following are the most common causes or popular
theories:
- Underlying illness, such as diabetes or a urinary-tract
infection.
- A small or weak bladder that cannot hold one night's
urine production.
- Psychological problems caused by stress or separation
from the mother.
- Child who is a deep sleeper.
RISK INCREASES WITH
- Diabetes.
- Urinary-tract infection.
- Family history of bed-wetting (44% occurrence if one
parent was bed-wetter, 77% occurrence if both parents
were bed-wetters).
- First born child.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
- No effective preventive methods known.
- Show your child love, support and understanding for
this problem.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Bed-wetting may continue for several years. Medical
tests may be conducted to rule out urinary-tract infections
and diabetes as causes. If these are eliminated and
your child is normal in other respects, consider that
your child's bed-wetting represents a delay in maturing
that will resolve with time.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
- Psychological and emotional scars that may affect the
child's personality for years.
- Urinary tract infection.
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
- Prepare the bed and the child:
- Protect the mattress with a heavy plastic cover.
- Provide the child with extra-thick underwear and pajamas.
- Discontinue diapers or plastic pants by age 4; they
inhibit the child's motivation to improve.
- Put an extra pair of underwear and pajama bottoms
by the bed in case the child needs them during the
night.
- Don't give any liquids to the child for 2-3 hours prior
to bedtime.
- Have the child urinate at bedtime.
- Awaken the child to urinate after he has been asleep
for several hours. If the child is old enough, he may be
able to set the alarm clock to awaken himself and
empty his bladder during the night.
- Reward the child for staying dry. Praise him, hug him,
and tell of his success to people who are important to
him, such as brothers and sisters. Use gold stars or
happy faces to mark dry nights on a calendar if the child
likes it.
- Respond gently to accidents. Don't blame, criticize,
restrict or punish the child who has wet the bed. This
can cause him to give up or lead to emotional problems.
- Follow instructions for any bladder-stretching or
stream-interruption exercises or behavior-modification
devices.
- Try alarms that are triggered by wetting. Reports indicate
a 70% cure rate when using them.
MEDICATIONS
- Medicine usually is not necessary for this disorder.
- An antidepressant (imipramine) or a prescription
nasal spray (vasopressin) may be recommended if other
methods fail and the family favors medical treatment.
ACTIVITY
No restrictions.
DIET
No special diet. Encourage your child to drink as much
fluid as possible during the day. Limit or discontinue
any fluid intake during the 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN IF
- You are concerned about your child's bed-wetting
and your child is older than 6.
- The child dribbles urine, has a weak urinary stream,
has pain when urinating or must strain to urinate.
- Medication is prescribed for the child and new, unexplained
symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment
may produce side effects.
Learn more about:
Nmihi.com Tips
Offers prescription drugs for weight loss, pain relief, skin care, men's health, herpes, impotency, and more
prescription meds without prescription.
Prescription drug reference - find information about the medications you are taking.