ALMOST HALF OF GPs strongly believe that bedwetting is linked to a family history of the conditon, according to a newly-released survey.
Of the 70 GPs who took part in the survey, 47 per cent believed that there is an hereditary link to bedwetting and – of those – 77 per believed there is a strong link between family history and the condition.
Nearly 30 per cent of GPs strongly believed that parents are embarrassed if asked about their own experiences as a child, and 36 per cent said that it was common for parents to delay seeking a medical opinion on the condition, with a one year delay noted on average.
Some 9 per cent of GPs said they believed bedwetting is a behavioural issue, while 7 per cent believed it is an emotional issue.
Published by Iris Cribbin
Enuresis (involuntary urination in children over the age of five or six) has a clear genetic component, according to clinical studies cited by the creators of the survey, Bedwetting.ie.
The group says that while children from “nonenuretic families” display about a 15 per cent chance of bedwetting, that figure rises to 44 per cent and 77 per cent of children when one or both parents, respectively, were themselves enuretic. In fact, the group says, it was “unusual” for a child to have a problem with wetting the bed if they did not have a close relative who had had similar experiences.
Bedwetting.ie was designed as a resource for parents of children with enuresis. The group has launched a video (above), narrated by children in their own words, in order to help parents discuss bedwetting openly so their child can feel supported rather than distressed about the condition.
Speaking at the launch of the website yesterday, clinical psychologist David Coleman said: “Bedwetting, or enuresis as it is also known, has a very high impact on a child’s ability to socialise – making childhood rites of passage that we all take for granted such as sleepovers and camping trips very difficult if not impossible.”
“Parents who have suffered from bedwetting themselves will have been through the same difficulties that their own child may now be experiencing, so it is important for parents to remember this and support their child as much as possible and resources such as Bedwetting.ie and the new animated video can be a great way to initiate a conversation with your child on the topic,” he added.
Dr Pathy Dass, Paediatric Surgeon at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, underlined how distressing bedwetting can be for a child, saying: ” Although persistent bedwetting can be difficult for both the child and the parent, there are a range of different solutions available – including night-lifting, changes in diet, and medication”.
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