Nocturnal enuresis, or bedwetting, is a common problem in children. It is a source of stress for them, as well as for their families, who may also incur significant financial costs. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children found that the prevalence of bedwetting < 2 nights per week is 30% at 4.5 years and 8% at 9.5 years, and the prevalence of bedwetting >=2 nights per week is 8% at 4.5 years and 1.5% at 9.5 years.1 Treatment has not usually been offered until children are 7 years old. The NationaL Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published a guideline on the assessment and treatment of children who have nocturnal enuresis;2 this makes recommendations for those aged under 7 years and also provides some advice for parents of children who are under 5 years old. Assessment, general advice, and advice on the use of rewards is simiLar for all children aged over 5 years. The guideline does not suggest that children aged 5-7 years should be given interventions such as alarms or drugs, but acknowledges that some of these children will benefit from them - as such, they should not be excluded from these interventions on the basis of age alone.
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