Hirschprung's Disease (Congenital Megacolon) Hirschsprung's disease is a condition that affects the large intestine (colon) 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 Hirschsprung's disease until later in a child's life.                   Surgical removal of the diseased portion of the child's colon is the only treatment for Hirschsprung's disease. After surgery, nine out of 10 children pass stool normally.                    Symptoms               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 the baby becomes a teenager or adult. In newborns, signs may include:                   Failure to pass stool within the first or second day of life Vomiting, including vomiting a green liquid called bile — a digestive fluid produced in the liver Constipation or gas, which may make a newborn fussy Diarrhea          In older children, signs can include: Swollen abdomen Lack of weight gain Problems absorbing nutrients, leading to weight loss, diarrhea or both and delayed or slowed growth Infections in the colon, especially in newborns or very young children, that may include enterocolitis, a serious infection with diarrhea, fever and vomiting and sometimes a dangerous expanding (dilation) of the colon           In older children or adults, signs may include chronic constipation and a low number of red blood cells (anemia) because blood is lost in the stool. Anemia can cause an affected person to look pale and to tire easily. [ Back ]

Hirschsprung's Disease