Hirschsprung's disease

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Signs and symptoms may vary with the severity of the condition. Sometimes they appear right after a baby is born. Other times they may not be apparent until later in life.

In newborns, signs may include:

  • Failure to pass stool within the first or second day of life
  • Vomiting, including vomiting a green or brown substance
  • Constipation or gas, which may make a newborn fussy
  • Diarrhea

In older children, signs can include:

  • Swollen abdomen
  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Lack of weight gain
  • Fatigue
References
  1. What I need to know about Hischsprung disease. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hirschsprungs_ez/. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  2. Wyllie R. Motility disorders and Hirschsprung disease. In: Kliegman RM. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  3. Kahn E, et al. Anatomy, histology, embryology and development anomalies of the small and large intestine. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
  4. Philichi L. When the going gets tough: Pediatric constipation and encopresis. Gastroenterology Nursing. 2008;31:121.
  5. Nutrition therapy for constipation. ADA Nutrition Care Manual. http://nutritioncaremanual.org/index.cfm. Accessed Oct. 12, 2010.
DS00825 Nov. 11, 2010

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