Bedwetting in children

- known to cause a great deal of grief and embarrassment to children who are older.
- most children fear getting chatised by their parents.
- condition which can't be consciously controlled.
- factors contributing to it include a delay in maturation and stress.

Why did it happen?
- bladder control develops at various ages in children.
- most children no longer wet the bed at age of 5 or 6.
- 3 times more prevalent among boys than girls
- runs in the family
- research has indicated the lack of a naturally occuring body hormone called anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) during sleep in 20-30 % of bedwetters
- the problem usually goes away as the child gets older
- illnesses and stressful changes in the family can also trigger a relapse

Not just a wet bed...
- not seeking treatment can lead to more serious consequences
- constant bedwetting at school-going age can adversely affect the psychosocial development of the child resulting in low self-esteem and poor social adjustment
- travelling may also be an issue for affected children
- family relationships may be strained because of parental anxiety and resentment

Seeking treatment
- wake the child in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom
- encourage the child to drink more fluids in the morning and early afternoon
- ensure that your child visits the toilet just before he goes to bed
- never punish your child for wetting the bed, instead reassure him that the bedwetting will eventually stop
- treatment in the form of bedwetting alarm has the best cure rate and costs around $200
- treatment in the form of medication known as desmopressin may cost from $50 to more than $100 per mth has higher rate of relapse.
- diapers make sleeping more comfortable and convenient for child
- be patient as you and child work through the problem together