Survey of Canadian moms shows concern over impact of bedwetting

With summer vacations looming, many families face additional challenges

TORONTO, May 26 /CNW/ - While many Canadian families are looking forward to their summer vacations, for parents with a child who is a bedwetter, the change of routine can be a source of anxiety. According to a recent Leger Marketing survey of Canadian moms, more than half of those surveyed reported that summer holidays impact their day-to-day routines, and roughly half agreed that children who wet the bed miss out on summer plans.

The survey also reveals that beyond these findings, many moms are concerned over the emotional toll that bedwetting can have on a child:

    
    -   75 per cent believe that a bedwetting child will experience
        embarrassment, shame or guilt.(1)
    -   63 per cent believe that the child will experience a loss of
        confidence and self-esteem.(1)
    

"Children with nocturnal enuresis are often ashamed of themselves and are not open to talking about this issue," says Dr. Martin Gignac, child psychiatrist at the Philippe Pinel Institute in Montreal. "It is important for parents and doctors to deal with the problem in a proactive and reassuring way. Explaining that it is not the child's fault and that treatment exists, may offer great relief for children affected by this condition."

While most of the moms surveyed recognize the negative emotional impact of bedwetting, they are largely unaware of the possibility of serious long-term implications if it persists beyond five years of age. Of those surveyed, more than 60 per cent admit that they have not discussed bedwetting with their child's doctor.(1) In fact, 45 per cent of those who had yet to speak with their child's doctor did not know bedwetting was a real medical issue. Over 50 per cent hope their child will simply out-grow it.(1)

"People may thoughtlessly discount bedwetting as typical for many children without fully considering the impact it may have on a child's confidence and self-esteem," says Dr. Norman Wolfish, Pediatric Nephrologist from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa. "For many children wetting the bed is an ongoing issue, in some cases even lasting into teenage years or later, that can affect the routine and dynamic of the whole family. However, there is safe and effective treatment available to help children get past wetting the bed, minimizing the impact it could have if left unmanaged."

One of the therapies available to treat bedwetting is DDAVP(R), a World Health Organization recommended treatment. DDAVP is a copy of the body's own urine production messenger and works naturally and safely to limit night-time urine production. It is available in a form that quickly dissolves in the mouth, called DDAVP Melt, which is an easier and more efficient way to administer the treatment to children, as there is no need to consume water with it.

Sarah Morgenstern is a co-founder and publisher of SavvyMom, an online resource for Canadian moms. "As a mom, and as someone who is connected with other moms, I know the impact bedwetting can have on families, particularly when it comes to things like planning overnight trips. What is concerning about these survey results is that despite their worries, many moms aren't consulting with their doctor. It's important for them to know that there is help available, and that the first step is to speak to your child's physician."

About nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting)

    
    -   Bedwetting is a common medical condition that affects more than
        500,000 Canadian children aged five and over.(2,3)
    -   It is twice as common in boys as in girls who are seven years of age
        or older.(4)
    -   Clinical research shows that children who wet the bed more than twice
        a week at age eight have a greater likelihood of continuing with
        their bedwetting into adult life.(5)
    -   Children with severe symptoms are much more likely to have persistent
        problems into adult life.(5)
    -   Among the moms surveyed who have a child who wets the bed,
        51 per cent of the children are between 6 and 10 years of age.(1)
    -   For those children of moms surveyed who wet the bed weekly, nearly
        half (45 per cent) are wetting their beds four or more nights a week.
        (1)
    

About the survey

The survey was conducted by Leger Marketing, in partnership with SavvyMom. It was sponsored by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. The survey was conducted using Leger Marketing's Web panel between Wednesday, April 14, 2010 and Thursday, April 22, 2010. A total of 501 interviews were completed with Canadian mothers (18+) who are parents of children between the ages of 4 and 16.

About Ferring

Ferring is a Swiss-headquartered, research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of urology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynecology, and fertility. To learn more about Ferring or their products please visit www.ferring.com.

Parents with children who wet the bed are also encouraged to visit www.medbroadcast.com/bedwetting for more information.

(R) Registered Trademark of Ferring B.V.

    
    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
    --------------------

    Along with Dr. Gignac in Montreal and Dr. Wolfish in Ottawa, pediatricians
are available for interviews in Toronto, and Vancouver.

    Note to television stations:

    Video News Release will be available via satellite on Wednesday May 26,
    2010 at
    10:00 - 10:30 and again at 14:00 - 14:30 Eastern
    Anik F2, C-Band, Transponder 3B @111.1 West
    Vertical Polarization, D/L Freq. 3820MHz.
    Audio subcarriers 6.8 left, 6.2 right
    For assistance with the feed call: 1-800-565-1471

    Video News Release also available via download Wednesday May 26th:
    Click here to access broadcast quality footage
http://www.newscanada.com/mpgdownload.asp?id=nc3583
    Please contact [email protected] if you do not have your Login ID and
Password.

    REFERENCES:

    (1) Leger Marketing Survey. April 2010.
    (2) Wolfish, N.M. and Pham, C. Management of nocturnal enuresis in
        children.
       
http://www.cpjournal.ca/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.3821%2F1913-701X-142.2.76&ct=1#i1913-701X-142-2-76-b5.
        Accessed April 2010.
    (3) Bedwetting: What's normal, what's not. C-Health.
   
http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=3158&channel_id=2015&relation_id=13596.
        Accessed April 2010.
    (4) Wolfish, N.M. and Pham, C. Management of nocturnal enuresis in
        children.
       
http://www.cpjournal.ca/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.3821%2F1913-701X-142.2.76&ct=1#i1913-701X-142-2-76-b5.
        Accessed April 2010.
    (5) Yeung, CK et al. Differences in characteristics of nocturnal enuresis
        between children and adolescents: a critical appraisal from a large
        epidemiological study. BJU International; Vol 97:1069-1073.
    

For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Andrea Rosebrugh, NATIONAL Public Relations, [phone], [email protected]