How long will the needs last?
Nocturnal Enuresis Duration Guidance
| Age at date of claim | Award Period |
|---|---|
| 7 - 9 | Award to age 10 (or for 1 year whichever is longer) |
| 10 - 15 | Award for 1 year |
Almost all children with nocturnal enuresis can expect to achieve nocturnal continence eventually. Those with a family history of late nocturnal continence, those with behavioural disorders and those with developmental delay will take longer. Boys take longer than girls do. There is a high spontaneous resolution rate of nocturnal enuresis. Many children overcome incontinence naturally, without treatment, as they grow older. The number of cases of incontinence goes down by 15% for each year after the age of 5.
This means approximately half of cases will have resolved in 3 years. If care needs are identified awards should be made based on the underlying condition -:
- In most cases there will be no underlying condition. In otherwise healthy children awards should be made until age 10, the age at which half of affected children could be expected to have become dry at night and the age at which a significant proportion of children who still have enuresis could be expected to manage their bedclothes during the night themselves. On review, the presence and frequency of ongoing enuresis should be confirmed with medical evidence. An assessment of whether the child is receiving active treatment, involving the parents should be made. An assessment of whether the child requires help with cleaning themselves or their room up at night should also be made.
At age 10-11, children are encouraged to do their own cleaning up during the night and the majority will do this.
- If enuresis is related to an underlying medical condition awards should be based on how long this condition is expected to last or until surgery to achieve continence is carried out.
- Children with underlying conditions such as learning difficulties, developmental delay and autistic spectrum disorder are much less likely to stop bedwetting or learn how to manage it themselves during the night. Refer to separate guidance where these conditions are present.
Note: Treatment / therapy outcomes are generally very successful within the first few weeks or months of treatment. It is important therefore that the likely duration of care needs is fully considered in deciding whether entitlement is appropriate.
