The daytime alarm: a useful device for the treatment of children with daytime incontinence.
OBJECTIVE
We present the results of the use of a daytime wetting alarm as treatment for therapy resistant daytime wetting in children with an overactive detrusor.


METHODS
In a retrospective study we reviewed the files of 63 children treated with a daytime alarm because of persistent daytime wetting. Results were considered a complete success when the children were completely dry after treatment, a partial success when there was greater than 50% improvement in daytime wetting and a failure when no change was observed in daytime symptoms.


RESULTS
During a study period of 25 months 63 children were treated with a daytime alarm at the department of pediatric urology. The mean treatment period was 14 days. At a followup of 12 months treatment failed in 20 children (32%), 21 (33%) had partial success and 22 (35%) were successfully treated.


CONCLUSIONS
In children with therapy resistant daytime wetting and an overactive detrusor the daytime alarm may be a useful treatment tool. Complete cure of daytime incontinence can be attained in 35% of patients, almost a third have improvement in their complaints and training fails in a third.
Van Laecke
E
E
Department of Pediatric Urology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. erik.vanlaecke@uzgent.be
Wille
S
S
Vande Walle
J
J
Raes
A
A
Renson
C
C
Peeren
F
F
Hoebeke
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*