Alarm based answer to bed wetting

22/10/2009 | Alarm based answer to bed wetting

Night-time bed wetting is a common problem that causes significant grief to many children, young people and their families and MidCentral Health has a recently introduced an innovative alarm based programme to help.

The Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (PNE) service is led by Community Paediatrics Service Registered Nurses Lynley Walker and Robbie Lane who are both passionate in their mission to find ‘Dry Bed Super Stars’. Clinical Nurse Specialists, Stacey Hoggart and Nicola Lean have assisted with the development of the service and continue clinical support.

“Night-time wetting affects five percent of 10-year-olds and two percent of 15-year-olds,” Lynley says. “It affects the whole family emotionally and financially and many studies have shown major negative effects on lowered self esteem, embarrassment and bullying.”

The alarm-based 12 week programme has been developed in line with the Paediatric Society of New Zealand guidelines and has a 70 percent success rate. The alarm wakes the child as soon as they begin to wet, strengthening the bladder/brain connection which for some reason is not strong in some people.

“PNE is not caused by laziness, rebelliousness, or sleeping deeply,” Robbie says. “It is more likely in children whose parent/s had the problem.”

The nurses provide regular follow-up support by phone, emails, texts and home visits. One of the PNE services Dry Bed Super Stars was so thrilled with her achievement she invited friends for a celebratory sleepover.

“This is the kind of success that changes lives,” Lynley says.

Ask your health provider for a referral or phone (06) 350 9164 for more information.