NICE Guidelines: Nocturnal Enuresis and Constipation in Children and Young People (Health Notes) (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence‪)‬

Introduction Wetting and soiling are common in childhood and affect looked after children more than children living with their own families. According to NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) (1) clinical guidelines (2010a), nocturnal enuresis (defined as bedwetting more than two nights each week) has a prevalence of eight per cent for children of four-and-a-half years, diminishing to 1.9 per cent at nine years and seven months. Bedwetting can have a deep impact on the child or young person's behaviour as well as their emotional and social life. It is also particularly stressful for parents and carers. Constipation is prevalent in five to 30 per cent of children, depending on the criteria used for diagnosis (NICE, 2010b). Symptoms become chronic in more than one-third of children and morbidity may be under-reported as people may not seek advice out of embarrassment. Many do not recognise the signs and symptoms of constipation in children and few relate this to the presence of soiling. Although it is rarely life threatening, soiling is debilitating with social, psychological and educational consequences (NICE, 2010b).