Bedwetting at least once a month beyond the age of 3-4 years.
The act of passing urine when asleep in bed at night.
The involuntary passing of urine during sleep. It is a condition predominantly of childhood, and although it is usually genetically determined, it can be a symptom of anxiety, especially if there has been over-rigorous attempts at toilet-training or hostile or unloving behaviour by a parent. It can also be provoked by what adults might see as unimportant changes in a child’s life for example, moving house. In a small minority of cases it is due to some organic cause such as urinary tract infection.
Urinary incontinence during the night, more commonly known as bedwetting. It is irregular and unaccompanied by urgency or frequency. It is more common in boys than in girls.
The medical term for bedwetting is “nocturnal enuresis.” It is a frequent condition in children, with boys being slightly more prone to be affected than girls. Bedwetting often runs in families.
Enuresis typically arises from the gradual development of nervous system functions related to bladder control. It can also be triggered by psychological stress. In a minority of bedwetters, there might be an underlying physical cause, such as a structural abnormality in the urinary tract. Bedwetting can also be linked to conditions like diabetes mellitus or urinary tract infections, which may cause a previously dry child to start bedwetting. In cases related to physical issues, the child may also experience difficulties with daytime bladder control.
If a child consistently experiences bedwetting, medical tests like urinalysis may be conducted to eliminate any physical causes. When bedwetting is not linked to a physical disorder, the treatment begins with training the child to urinate regularly during the day. Implementing systems like rewarding the child for each dry night, such as placing stars on a chart, often proves to be effective. Encouraging the child to use the toilet just before bedtime can also be helpful in managing bedwetting.
Punishing a child for bedwetting is not beneficial and may, in fact, exacerbate the issue by causing the child to feel anxious.
There are alarm systems called buzzer and pad systems, which involve placing a humidity-sensitive pad in the child’s bed. When urine is passed, the alarm wakes the child, and over time, the child learns to wake up before starting to pass urine. These alarm systems can be helpful in addressing bedwetting issues.
Desmopressin is a synthetic version of antidiuretic hormone, and it is sometimes administered to decrease the amount of water excreted by the kidneys. This drug is beneficial for occasional nights when a child needs to remain dry, like during overnight stays with friends.