Hirschsprung Disease

irschsprung's (HIRSH-sproongz) disease is a condition that affects the large intestine (colon) and causes problems with passing stool. The condition is present at birth (congenital) as a result of missing nerve cells in the muscles of the baby's colon. A newborn who has Hirschsprung's disease usually can't have a bowel movement in the days after birth. In mild cases, the condition might not be detected until later in childhood. Uncommonly, Hirschsprung's disease is first diagnosed in adults.

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Synonyms:
Typically, the most obvious sign is a newborn's failure to have a bowel movement within 48 hours after birth.

Other signs and symptoms in newborns may include:

Swollen belly

Vomiting, including vomiting a green or brown substance

Constipation or gas, which might make a newborn fussy

Diarrhea

In older children, signs and symptoms can include:

Swollen belly

Chronic constipation

Gas

Failure to thrive

Fatigue

Types:
N/a

SYSTEMS AFECTED

Nervous system

Symptoms

N/a

Treatments

Pull-through surgery

In this procedure, the lining of the diseased part of the colon is stripped away. Then, the normal section is pulled through the colon from the inside and attached to the anus. This is usually done using minimally invasive (laparoscopic) methods, operating through the anus.

Ostomy surgery

In children who are very ill, surgery might be done in two steps.

First, the abnormal portion of the colon is removed and the top, healthy portion of the colon is connected to an opening the surgeon creates in the child's abdomen. Stool then leaves the body through the opening into a bag that attaches to the end of the intestine that protrudes through the hole in the abdomen (stoma). This allows time for the lower part of the colon to heal.

Once the colon has had time to heal, a second procedure is done to close the stoma and connect the healthy portion of the intestine to the rectum or anus.

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