The HEALTH : July 2018 | Page 20

20 electric children
The HEALTH | JULY , 2018
20 electric children

Bed wetting in children

ALL babies wet their bed , with gradual progression of age , control is achieved by being dry by day and night
ALL babies wet their bed . With gradual progression of

F age , control is achieved by being dry by day and night . However to achieve this state , it ’ s a skill that is slowly developed by the babies as they grow up . This skill amounts to the control of muscles through the inhibition of bladder muscles and filter .

Pantai Hospital Ampang Resident Consultant Paediatrician Dr Foo Chee Hoe explained that by the age of two , children would be able to be dry by day and this happens quite often without any complications . Being dry by night is a
Dr Foo Chee Hoe .
“ Constipation itself can be a cause for bed wetting , as a result of stool in the colon placing pressure on the bladder - creating loss of bladder control .” matter that is treated subjectively as it depends how prepared the child is and also on the parenting skills that goes into training the children .
“ Children tend to be dry by night by the age of 5 , and if this is not achieved by then , it is considered to be abnormal .”
However , Foo was quick to point out that over 15 to 20 percent of children still wet their bed .
Primary Nocturnal Enuresis
Primary nocturnal enuresis , the most common form of bedwetting is a disorder that happens after the common age at which bladder control is already achieved .
“ Constipation itself can be a cause for bed wetting , as a result of stool in the colon placing pressure on the bladder - creating loss of bladder control .”
“ Having diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus can affect the passing of urine as well . Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the doctor for a check-up in order prevent them from having kidney problems ,” he said .

Parent to look for underlying problems for bedwetting teens

BED wetting among teenagers over the age of 15 years old , should not be taken lightly .

Pantai Hospital Ampang Resident Consultant Paediatrician Dr Foo Chee Hoe stressed that such situations calls for intervention through the means of bladder training .
This can be considered as a secondary nocturnal enuresis which occurs after a patient observes absence of bed wetting for over six months and then goes into a relapse and starts bed wetting all over again .
“ Children or teens who tend to bed wet themselves are not at fault . There are a couple of factors that contribute to the situation .”
“ Non-medical issues such as stress or change in environment - migrating to a new place can be one of the causes . Children who go through bullying in school or even matters such as siblings rivalry at home may also go through this ,” Foo said .
Tackling the issue
Training is often recommended , be it through setting alarm clocks and as a last resort , medication .
Foo also brought up the issue of Asian parents having to deal with their children who bed wet through the act of canning .
“ This for a fact actually stresses the children even more , making no changes to their state . He recommends parents to utilise charts to monitor progress and establish a reward system . Fluids should be restricted two hours prior to bed .