The International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS) and the European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) announced 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 wellbeing and daytime functioning, including school and social performance.
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. 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. However, bedwetting will not necessarily go away by itself, and safe and effective bedwetting treatments are available.
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.”
