It is many a mothers’ nightmare to deal with soaked night clothes and beddings as well as the stench that emanates from those items the next morning. While some mums are lucky to have children that gain control of their bladder early enough, some are not. Enuresis, generally known as bed wetting, is a major issue in many homes and a serious challenge for many mothers.
However, as rampant as the condition is, it is shrouded by a cloud of secrecy that makes it even harder to deal with. While mothers can easily talk about other medical conditions like asthma, allergies or malaria, they may be reluctant to talk about a bed wetting child.
Certified in paediatrics by the American Board of Paediatrics, Dr Atinuke Uwajeh of the Paediatric Partners Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos, stated that bed wetting among children is relatively common especially before the age of five years.
“Bed wetting is often a stage in normal development of children and most children are able to have dry nights by the age of five.”
She pointed out that nocturnal enuresis, which is night time bedwetting, is more common in boys while diurnal enuresis, known as day time bedwetting, is more common in girls.
Dr Uwajeh clarified that while most children are able to attain dry nights by the age of five. Approximately 15 per cent of five-year-olds will experience some form of enuresis and about 15 to 25 per cent of these will resolve spontaneously within the year. Although frustrating for parents, bedwetting may not be considered a problem till the child is after six years of age.
Bed-wetting may be genetic
Researchers say there is no one single cause of bed-wetting, but if one wants an easy target, one may do well to consider one’s own DNA. Scientists have even located some of the specific genes that lead to delayed night time bladder control on the chromosomes 13, 12 and eight. Therefore, majority of bed-wetting may be inherited.
Dr Uwajeh corroborated the scientific claims saying “there is a genetic predisposition with bed-wetting. Seventy-five per cent of children with nocturnal enuresis have a first-degree relative who also wet the bed in childhood. The risk of a child being affected is 43 per cent if one parent had enuresis but becomes as high as 77 per cent if both parents had enuresis.”
Other causes of Bed-wetting
While genetics may be just one reason for enuresis, researchers claim that a number of other factors likely contribute to bedwetting in children. Dr Uwajeh attests to the fact that the causes of bed-wetting are multifactorial. Aside from genetics, she itemized the following:
When should a mum start worrying about bed-wetting?
According to scientists, bedwetting that’s caused by medical problems is genuinely rare. Though Urinary tract infections, sleep apnea, diabetes, spinal cord problems, and deformities of the bladder or urinary tract all are worth mentioning, they may not probably be worth worrying over, experts say.
How can you help your bed-wetting child?
Dr Uwajeh said “most kids are already embarrassed that they had ‘’an accident” while sleeping already. This is not the time to shout, abuse or beat the child. They know it is bad, they are embarrassed, they are also concerned about the smell and it is even worse if the child is in boarding school. To help your child, it is important to have your pediatrician examine your child to be sure there are no treatable causes like bladder infection, constipation, brain developmental problems or hormonal problems.”
She highlighted other home remedies to be:
Mental health expert, Senior Lecturer, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Psychologist at the Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University/Teaching Hospitals Complex, Dr Boladale Mapayi, speaks on bed-wetting and its psychological implication on a child.
How does bed-wetting affect a child’s psychology?
Enuresis is an extremely stressful condition for the child. A child who has not attained dryness by the time his/her siblings and friends have is often prone to ridicule from family and friends which will usually make the condition worse. The child is often plagued with embarrassment and guilt which can be worsened when people around, especially family, castigate the child for a behaviour which is not under voluntary control.
What kind of mental issues can develop in a child who is constantly bedwetting and is being ridiculed?
A number of children with enuresis have problems with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and even suicidal ideations/attempts. Some children will develop externalizing symptoms, such as delinquent or aggressive behaviour. Often, this is due to lack of understanding by family members, friends and the larger society.
How does it affect the self esteem and confidence of a child?
Enuresis will usually diminish self-esteem but this can be greatly helped by support from the family. We must understand that the vast majority of children with enuresis may outgrow it without need for medication.
Does stress and anxiety have a relationship with bed-wetting?
Definitely, a number of children develop enuresis with a new source of stress, for example, the birth of a sibling, moving into a new house or even physical or sexual violence witnessed or experienced. This is an important factor that is essential for parents to take note of. In a child with enuresis, stress and anxiety often worsen the situation, so every form of punishment for wetness will create a vicious cycle that can only make the situation worse.
How can mothers help without trampling on the sensitivity of the child?
What roles can older siblings play?
Older siblings need to show empathy and support. It is important to keep a no teasing rule when it comes to bed-wetting. The child with enuresis must not be the butt of any joke. The support a child experiences at home will definitely inspire and raise morale to deal with the outside world.
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