Hirschsprung disease

Key Points About Hirschsprung Disease in Children • Hirschsprung disease is a rare birth defect. It affects the nerve cells in the large intestine. • Children with this disorder are missing nerve cells in all or part of the large intestine. • Without these nerve cells, stool can’t move forward through the large intestine. This can cause • Most children with Hirschsprung disease show symptoms in the first few weeks of life. • Hirschsprung disease is treated with surgery. What is Hirschsprung disease? Hirschsprung disease is a rare birth defect. It affects the nerve cells in the large intestine. These nerve cells control the muscles that move food and waste, or stool, through the large intestine. The large intestine is the last part of the digestive tract. Babies with Hirschsprung disease are missing nerve cells in all or part of the large intestine. In most cases, only the end parts of the colon are affected. Without these nerve cells, the muscles can’t move food and waste through that part of the large intestine. Stool can’t move forward. It stays in the large intestine. The intestine can become partly or fully blocked. It begins to grow larger than normal. This can cause constipation, swelling, pain and infection. What causes Hirschsprung disease in children? During pregnancy, a baby’s nerve cells form along the intestines. They begin in the mouth and end in the anus. In babies with Hirschsprung disease, the nerve cells don’t grow past a certain part of the large intestin...

What Is Hirschsprung Disease? Hirschsprung (HERSH-sproong) disease affects the Treatment always requires surgery. Fortunately, most children who have surgery are able to pass bowel movements (BMs) normally. Hirschsprung disease can cause What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Hirschsprung Disease? The symptoms of Hirschsprung disease can vary depending on how severe it is and how long the affected piece of intestine is. Children with severe cases usually will have symptoms within the first few days of life. Newborns with Hirschsprung disease may: • not be able to pass stool within the first or second day of life • have a swollen belly, bloating, or gas • have diarrhea • vomit (which may look green or brown) A newborn who can't poop within the first 48 hours of life is often how doctors find Hirschsprung disease. This red flag can be very valuable in diagnosing the condition. Less severe cases might not be spotted until a child is a little older, or sometimes even later. Symptoms in these cases are usually milder but can be long-lasting (or chronic). They can include: • a swollen belly • constipation • trouble gaining weight • vomiting • gas Older kids with Hirschsprung disease might have a growth delay because the condition can affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients. What Causes Hirschsprung Disease? Hirschsprung disease prevents bowel movements (stool) from passing through the intestines due to missing nerve cells in the intestine. Most commonly, it involves the part of ...