Bedwetting in a child. Why it happens? What to do?
Humans urinate involuntarily and reflexively at birth but acquire voluntary control with
learning and development. Have you noticed that even some pets can be trained to control
their voiding behaviour Unfortunately, this motivated control is ultimately disrupted in
one in three humans worldwide
Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is involuntary voiding of urine during sleep at least
three times a week in a child aged 5 years or older. It is a common worldwide problem
affecting both boys and girls below 16 years. It can be a distressing experience for the
child and may lead to loss of self-esteem and isolation. Children fear being discovered
and are afraid to go to relatives’ or friends’ house. Although most parents are
supportive, up to 30% parents become intolerant towards their child.
At 5 years of age, around 1 in 6 children still wet the bed. This means that in a school
class of thirty there will be five who wet the bed regularly. Because the children and
their parents are too embarrassed to talk about the problem it is unlikely that they
will be known to each other. Most of these children spontaneously grow out of it. By the
age of 10 only one in 15 still wet the bed. Even in adulthood 1 in 100 still suffers
from the problem.
It is important to remember that it is not the child’s fault. Parents must also not
blame themselves. Getting angry or punishing the child could make the problem worse.
Supporting and praising the efforts of the child to stay dry will help the child to
become dry sooner. Getting medical help relieves the anguish for the family.
The cause of bedwetting is usually a combination of three factors: Over production of
urine at night; Hyperactivity of the bladder; and Lack of arousal from sleep. Often
there is family history of bedwetting. Stressful early life events (loss of grand
parent, change of school) can trigger bedwetting in those who have previously been dry
for a long period.
Children with isolated bedwetting usually do not have any underlying problem. However if
a child has been wet right from birth, always wet day and night, or never achieved
toilet training, then it is essential to see a Paediatric Urologist to make sure that
there is no associated medical problem where one kidney drains not into the bladder but,
outside the body directly.
Often simple methods like waking up the child (alarms) and giving awards for a dry night
(star chart) are undertaken. If bladder over activity is suspected, a bladder relaxing
medication is prescribed. If night time alone is a problem, a medicine to reduce the
volume of urine in the night is prescribed. When urine infection is suspected, an
antibiotic is prescribed.
It is essential to avoid bladder irritants as black current, coffee or coke.
Constipation can make bladder problems worse. Taking plenty of fruits and vegetables can
help to prevent this. Often parents restrict children’s water intake. This is not
necessary; in fact these children need plenty of water and regular toilet visits during
the day
Dr. Ramesh Babu
MS, MCh, FRCS Glas, FRCS Edin, FRCS Paed, CCST (UK)
Visiting Professor of Paediatric Urology
Rio children and Maternity Hospital
Madurai
