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Just the Facts

The Latest Research on Bedwetting to Help Your Child

By Laura Lyster-Mensh

Researchers have also found some success in sharpening children's signals of fullness through an approach that stretches the bladder's capacity through "retention control."

Much of the popular literature about bedwetting discusses the role of sleep patterns, but there is debate about whether bedwetting should be classified as a "sleep disorder."

One interesting study in the journal, Sleep, in Sweden, concluded that enuretic children do not experience significantly different sleep patterns than their dry peers. They did find, however, that heart rate variability during sleep did differ in enuretics.

There are some interesting approaches on the horizon, many of which are being researched overseas. A study in the United Arab Emirates reports "markedly reduced bedwetting episodes" with the use of indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. In addition, Japanese researchers have seen a 40 percent improvement in bedwetting after acupuncture treatments, which increased to 47 percent after two months.

Parents seek information from many sources, but ultimately you must use your own best judgment on what advice to take.

"I've looked for [information] on the Internet via Web sites and discussion boards, [from] pediatricians and books on the subject," says a Susie Beck*, a mother of an 8-year-old enuretic in Wisconsin. "I trust my instincts and advice that I feel won't negatively affect my child."