ESPU Congress 2017 - Abstract book

320

CONGRESS OF THE ESPU

14:20–14:30

S3-4 (LO)

INFLUENCE OF THE KIND OF DIAPER

ON THE PRESENTATION OF MICTURITION ELIMINATION

SIGNALS: A PILOT STUDY

Kelly VAN DER CRUYSSEN

, Stefan DE WACHTER

, Guido VAN HAL

and Alexandra VERMANDEL

1) University of Antwerp, Rehabilitation Sciences and Kinesiology, Antwerp, BELGIUM - 2) University of Antwerp,

Urology and urological rehabilitation, Antwerp, BELGIUM - 3) University of Antwerp, Social Medicine - Medical Sociology

and Health Policy, Antwerp, BELGIUM

PURPOSE

Signals made by an infant to communicate about the need and awareness of micturition are labeled

as elimination signals (ES). Western infants commonly use diapers to micturate and defecate until

they display readiness signs. Different kind of diapers will diverge in degree of absorption. This will

have an influence on the wet sensation when the infant is voiding. The aim of this study was to as-

sess the difference in presentation of these ES when wearing a disposable compared to a reusable

diaper.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The voidingbehavior of 32 non-toilet trained infants (16 wearing disposable diapers, 16 wearing re-

usable, less absorbent diapers, aged 6 - 24 months) was observed and videorecorded. The diaper

contained a light box that initiated to shine when the sensor became wet. This light could not be

noticed by the infant. Two independent researchers assessed the videorecordings of the micturition

using a checklist containing twelve ES.

RESULTS

Forty-seven percent of the infants displayed ES. Infants wearing a reusable diaper displayed more

ES (p=0.013). Only 25% of infants wearing a disposable diaper exhibited at least one ES compared

to 68.8% wearing a reusable one. A significant difference was detected in presentation of ES during

voiding (p=0.009). No difference could be detected before (p=0.127) and after micturition (p=0.197).

No significant relationship was found between any individual ES and the kind of diaper.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a reusable diaper increases awareness of voiding compared to the use of the dispos-

able one. Parent-infant communication is facilitated possibly due to the increased wet sensation

provided by a reusable diaper in contrast to a disposable diaper. Further research should focus on

whether the use of the reusable diaper combined with implementation of these ES in toilet training

will advance and facilitate the process.