Urinary Incontinence (UI)

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust: Information for Families

Urinary incontinence (UI)

This information sheet from Great Ormond What causes urinary Street Hospital explains the causes, symptoms incontinence? and treatment of urinary incontinence and Urinary incontinence can occur in where to get help. people of all ages and is caused by many different things. These include: Urinary incontinence (UI) is any Congenital (present at birth) structural involuntary leakage of urine (pee). problems which are usually diagnosed It is a common problem and can be in childhood, such as an ectopic very distressing. In almost all cases ureter (where the ureter – the tube it is the result of another underlying that carries urine from the kidney to medical condition which can be the bladder – bypasses the bladder treated. and terminates elsewhere), posterior urethral valves (a blockage in the urethra – the tube that carries urine outside the body) and the more severe bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex (where the bladder is open and exposed on the outside of the abdomen). Disorders which can interfere with nerve function of the bladder. These include spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, strokes and spinal cord injury. kidneys An overactive bladder disorder can cause functional urinary incontinence (day and nighttime incontinence). Being in a deep sleep or lack of ureters bladder control can cause episodic urinary incontinence – such as bedwetting – in young children. The consumption of caffeine or cola drinks which stimulate the bladder. Polyuria: a condition which causes a bladder person to produce too much urine. sphincter This condition is usually the result of urethra another condition such as diabetes or a significant kidney function impairment.

Sheet 1 of 3 Ref: 2011F1247 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust March 2012 What are the signs and How is urinary symptoms of urinary incontinence normally incontinence? treated? A child will be unable to control when The treatment the child will receive for they go to the toilet. They may feel like urinary incontinence will depend on they need to pass urine and, unable to the type of incontinence they have and delay its release, will urinate very quickly the severity of their symptoms. If their after. This is known as urge incontinence. incontinence is caused by an underlying condition, such as a duplex kidney Occasionally, they may also leak urine with an ectopic ureter they will receive when the bladder is put under sudden treatment for this first. pressure, for example when they cough, sneeze or laugh. This is called stress Conservative treatments, which do not incontinence. involve medication or surgery, include: Urinary incontinence can be very Lifestyle changes – drinking fewer fizzy distressing for a child. They can loose drinks, creating a routine for using the confidence, may feel socially excluded toilet, treating constipation and losing and in some cases, might be bullied weight. because of their condition. They may Pelvic floor muscle training – which even find it difficult to function normally involves tensing and relaxing the in everyday life. Many fail to report the muscles of the pelvis. problem to their parents or doctor out Bladder training – which involves of embarrassment. However, it is an learning techniques to increase the extremely common problem which can length of time between feeling the be successfully treated. need to urinate and passing urine. Medication or surgery may be necessary How is urinary depending on the cause of the incontinence. incontinence normally diagnosed? There are a number of different medicines you can take to help with incontinence Don’t be embarrassed to seek help for and have possible side effects. this problem. If the child has a problem Common side effects to medications for with incontinence, talk to their doctor urinary incontinence include: straight away. They can organise an appointment with a specialist who feeling nauseous or being sick can help you get to the bottom of this indigestion or tummy pain annoying and distressing condition. constipation / diarrhoea hot flushes headaches dry mouth drowsiness

Sheet 2 of 3 Ref: 2011F1247 © GOSH NHS Foundation Trust March 2012 If all other treatments are unsuccessful, What happens next? surgery may be recommended. Urinary incontinence can be an There are lots of different surgical uncomfortable and upsetting problem procedures which can help with urinary but it does not have to be one your child incontinence. The type of surgery the battles alone. There are treatments out child is offered will depend on their there to help. medical history and details of their problem. Before making any decisions, you can discuss the risks and benefits of Further help and advice surgery with the child’s specialist, as well Talk to the child’s doctor or health visitor. as any possible alternative treatments. Contact ERIC - Education & Resources for Improving Childhood Continence - for advice and support ERIC Tel (Helpline): 0845 370 8008 (10am - 4pm, Monday - Friday) Website: www.eric.org.uk

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Compiled by the GOSH web team in collaboration with the Child and Family Information Group

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH

www.gosh.nhs.uk