Hirschsprung's disease

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Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors

Screening and diagnosis Treatment Self-care

Introduction

Hirschsprung's disease is a condition that affects the large intestine (colon or large bowel) and causes problems with passing stool. It's present when a baby is born (congenital) and results from missing nerve cells in the muscles of a portion of the baby's colon.

Children with Hirschsprung's disease can be constipated or have problems absorbing nutrients from food. In severe cases of Hirschsprung's disease, a newborn child experiences an obstructed colon and is unable to have a bowel movement. In mild cases, doctors may not detect the disease until later in a child's life.

Hirschsprung's disease occurs in one in every 5,000 babies born and is responsible for one-fourth of intestinal obstructions in newborns. It's five times more common in boys and sometimes occurs with other congenital conditions such as Down syndrome. Surgical removal of the diseased portion of the colon is the only treatment for Hirschsprung's disease.

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Signs and symptoms