barbsy
|
parent should not force their children to wait for the toileLet children go to the loo when they want to, NHS advises
Last updated at 15:24pm on 22nd August 2007
Comments
Parents should not force their children to wait to go to the toilet, according to new NHS guidelines.
Learning to hold urine in is thought to be one of the causes of urinary tract infections (UTI).
The instructions for doctors published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) aim to cut the 82,000 children under 16 who suffer a UTI each year in the UK.
One part of the guidance says parents should encourage their children to use the toilet as soon as they need to and drink plenty of fluids.
It also warns doctors that UTIs can easily be missed because the symptoms - which include fever - can be confused with something else.
It highlighted the importance of diagnosing and treating UTIs quickly, with failure to do so leading to possible permanent damage of the kidneys.
Signs that a child may have a UTI include vomiting, tiredness and irritability, it said.
More specific warning signs are pain when urinating, needing to pass urine more frequently, wetting, abdominal pain and unpleasant-smelling urine.
Babies and children who have an unexplained fever of 38 degrees or higher should have a urine sample tested within 24 hours, the guideline said.
Those aged under three months with a UTI should be referred immediately to a paediatric specialist and treated with intravenous antibiotics.
The guideline also sets out when children should undergo ultrasound tests, saying they should only be used when necessary.
Andrew Dillon, chief executive at Nice, said: "Urinary tract infections affect around 82,000 children each year - and all of these young patients and their families will benefit from this new guidance.
"UTIs in children can be both distressing for the child and worrying for parents, especially where a very young child or baby is affected.
"These guidelines will help improve the management of UTIs in children and babies by providing a handy guide to help health professionals diagnose the infection, outlining which treatments should be offered first, as well as explaining when further follow-up or treatments may be needed."
|
pixie
|
I wish mainstream schools would get this message too because the kids always seem to have to wait until playtime or lunchtime.
Mine could never wait but was forced to when in mainstream. Very embarrasing for them and it caused longer term problems too.
Thanks Barbsy.
|
barbsy
|
i found this article interesting as jon has kidney problems and i have on many occasion had to send in letters to school to remind them that he should not have to wait until break times. i cannot understand why any child would be told to wait in any circumstances by anyone, if you have to go you have to go, simply that.
barb
|
loudmouth
|
holding it inEvery september,when my daughter changes class,it takes ages for the teachers to understand that due to her hypermobility syndrome,she just CANT hold it till break or lunch.It's usually only after the third puddle that they actually take notice of me!!She's now 10 and each year its getting harder to make the teachers understand.
|
Speeds
|
What I think is so sad is the wider picture.
When taking on a class or a group of children you would have thought taht by now someone could have made a system to log a bit about each child for quick and easy reference. Not just medical needs but other social needs.
I would be livid if in Spetemeber my son goes to school and the teacher gave him access to food etc.
Same with going to the toilet, out on trips, friends, likes, dislikes, bullying
Not rocket science.
Back to the issue in hand, I must admit the policy at Thomas school is very good and tbh - the children seem to respect it - they are reminded to visit the loo during breaks but no child is told to wait (unless the toilets are full or there is some really good reason why). This applies to infants and juniors at the school.
I think that children need to be taught a principle but not whipped in to it. By reminding children to use the toilet at appropriate times IMHO is the correct way and then if a child asks to be excused then that is fine. The teacher will soon get to know who is pulling a fast one versus a genuine need.
At Thomas' school the children are encouraged to drink water so sometimes they do need to go more often than just at break/lunch times.
As one grows up and goes off to work we should be equipped with the skill to know when to pay a visit and know that sometimes in meetings it is not easy, approriate or possible to go so we enter that meeting/area as prepared as we can.
I hope that the school passes on this information in Spetember. If you think that they will not then write a letter for the first day of term stating that your daughter needs to visit the toilet when she needs to which she gives to her new teacher on the first day.
|
|
|
|