Dr. M.J. Bazos, MD, Patient Handout
8 Year Old Frequently Asked Questions

MY 8 YEAR OLD IS STILL WETTING THE BED, WHAT CAN BE DONE NOW?
Talk to your health professional about medical treatment for the child with Enuresis (Bed-wetting). Before age eight years, medical treatment is not usually indicated nor recommended. If the child is still bedwetting at age eight years, most experts will treat him with medications such as imipramine or desmopressin (DDAVP). These medications require a prescription in many countries and their usage needs to be monitored by the health professional. Behavior modification techniques including nightime wetting alarm systems have been implemented in bedwetting treatment programs with equivocal results but in certain cases may be successful. Psychological counseling interventions are sometimes warranted in the treatment of bedwetters.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR MY OVERWEIGHT CHILD?
Children today tend to weigh more than their counterparts a generation ago. In fact, greater than 30% of United States children are now overweight. That can contribute to physical problems such as high blood pressure, limit a child’s athletic abilities, and impair self-esteem. The first step is to determine if the child is indeed overweight, as there are wide variations in ”normal” depending on body build, age, gender, and height, as well as the genetic predisposition. Obesity is usually defined as more than 20 percent above ideal weight for a particular height and age. Youngsters who are greater than 40 percent overweight are generally recommended for a physician-guided weight-loss program. For these children a comprehensive weight control program, including dietary management and a regular exercise program may be recommended by your health professional. Avoid fad diets but encourage the regular intake of foods like vegetables, fish, and poultry. While you can limit serving sizes, do not severely restrict your youngster’s caloric intake or you might run the risk of impeding normal growth.

HOW CAN I ENCOURAGE MY CHILD TO GET ADEQUATE EXERCISE?
Exercise is essential for the child at all ages as well as for adults. A regular exercise program usually is not required, but encouraging the child to get outdoors often to play, ride bicycles, roller-skate (or rollerblade), swim, and just be a kid will allow him to get adequate amounts of exercise. Take your child to the park or playground often and encourage team sports participation.

WHEN DOES MY CHILD RETURN FOR HIS NEXT HEALTH SUPERVISION VISIT?
At 12 months of age your child should have his next health supervision visit.