PRAGUE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS) and the European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) announced today the launch of World Bedwetting Day at the 26th ESPU Congress in Prague. Although often underestimated, bedwetting has a serious impact on a child’s self-esteem, emotional well-being and day time functioning, including school and social performance.2,3,4,7,8 World Bedwetting Day 2015’s slogan is ‘Time to Take Action’, in recognition that much more can be done to diagnose and effectively treat children with this common medical condition.
“Bedwetting is nobody’s fault,” said Prof. Gianantonio Manzoni, ESPU President “It is a common medical condition that families and doctors should be able to discuss without embarrassment or guilt. World Bedwetting Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the condition so that children and families can get the help they deserve.”
Children who suffer from bedwetting often feel a sense of shame, frequently isolating themselves and missing out on social activities such as sleepovers at friends’ houses and school trips.2,3,4,6 Nearly half of parents do not seek help from their doctor for the treatment of bedwetting in children five years or older, believing the child will outgrow the problem.9 However, bedwetting will not necessarily go away by itself, and safe and effective bedwetting treatments are available.10,11
Dr. Søren Rittig, Consultant at the Department of Child and Youth, Nephro-urologic Team, Aarhus University Hospital commented: “As doctors we often underestimate the impact of bedwetting, preferring to focus on other apparently more serious conditions. However, successful diagnosis and treatment of bedwetting relieves the burden this condition places on a child, boosting day time functioning including school performance.”
About Bedwetting
Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is an uncontrollable leakage of urine while asleep.12 In children aged ≥5 years, enuresis is considered abnormal. In most cases it is caused by over-production of urine at night or reduced capacity of the bladder.2,3,4 An inability to wake up can be another cause.2,3,4 Bedwetting does not have a psychological cause.2,3,4 Bedwetting is a common childhood medical condition1, with approximately 5–10% of 7 year-olds regularly wetting their beds and the problem may persist into teenage and adulthood.13
About World Bedwetting Day
World Bedwetting Day 2015 will take place on 17th October and will be marked by a launch event at the 26th ESPU Congress in Prague. From 2016 onwards World Bedwetting Day will take place every year in May. World Bedwetting Day is initiated by a working group consisting of the ICCS and ESPU. For more information please visit www.worldbedwettingday.com.
Supported by Ferring Pharmaceuticals
References
1 Hjälmås K et al. Nocturnal Enuresis: An International Evidence Based Management Strategy. The Journal of Urology. 2004;171:2545–2561
2 Vande Walle J et al, Practical consensus guidelines for the management of enuresis. Eur J Pediatr 2012;171:971-983
3 Vande Walle J et al, Erratum to: Practical consensus guidelines for the management of enuresis. Eur J Pediatr 2013;171:971-983
4 Vande Walle J et al, Erratum to: Practical consensus guidelines for the management of enuresis. Eur J Pediatr 2012;171:971-983
5 Nathan D, Nocturnal enuresis guidelines. Notthingham Children’s Hospital. 2014. 1-17
6 NHS Conditions: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bedwetting/pages/introduction.aspx [Last accessed: 20.05.15]
7 Theunis M et al. Self-Image and Performance in Children with Nocturnal Enuresis. European Urology. 2002;41:660-667
8 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
9 Schlomer, Bruce et al Parental beliefs about nocturnal enuresis causes, treatments, and the need to seek professional medical care, Journal of Pediatric Urology.2013; 9, 1043e1048
10 Lottmann H, Baydala L, Eggert P, Klein BM, Evans J, Norgaard JP. Long-term desmopressin response in primary nocturnal enuresis, Int J Clin Pract. 2009;63(1):35-45. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2008.01956.x.
11 DRIP-UK study Evans J, Malmsten B, Maddocks A, Popli HS, Lottmann H; on behalf of the UK study group. Randomized comparison of long-term desmopressin and alarm treatment for bedwetting. J Pediatr Urol. 2011; 7: 21-29.
12 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
13 Nevéus T. Nocturnal enuresis—theoretic background and practical guidelines. Pediatr Nephrol. 2011;26:1207–1214
