Hirschsprung's Disease (Hirschsprung) Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, adn Treatment on MedicineNet

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Hirschsprung Disease (cont.)

Hirschsprung's disease is a disease of the large intestine.
Hirschsprung's disease develops in children before they are born. It is not caused by anything the mother did while pregnant.
Symptoms of Hirschsprung's disease include
- delayed first bowel movement in newborns
- swollen abdomen and vomiting
- constipation since birth
- slow growth and development
- anemia
Children with Hirschsprung's disease may get an infection, called enterocolitis, which can cause fever and diarrhea.
Hirschsprung's disease is a serious disease that needs to be treated right away. Hirschsprung's disease is treated with pull-through surgery or, sometimes, ostomy.
After treatment, most children with Hirschsprung's disease lead normal lives.

SOURCE: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), National Institutes of Health

Last Editorial Review: 10/29/2008

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