Hirschsprung’s Disease in Children
1.What is Hirschsprung’s disease in children?
Hirschsprung’s disease is a rare & potential life-threatening congenital problem. Affected newborns or children do not have the nerve cells present in part of the intestine such that the muscles can’t move food and waste through that part of the large intestine. The intestine can become partly or fully blocked.
2. What are the Causes of Hirschsprung’s disease in a child?
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’s disease, the nerve cells do not grow past a certain part of the intestine.
3. What are the Signs & Symptoms of Hirschsprung’s disease?
Most babies with Hirschsprung’s disease have symptoms in the first few weeks of life. In some cases only a short segment of the intestine may be affected. Then affected child may not have many symptoms till few months or years.
Each child’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms in newborns may include:
- Not having a bowel movement in the first 48 hours of life
- Slow swelling or bloating of the belly
- Vomiting green or brown fluid
Children who don’t show early symptoms may also have:
- Constipation that gets worse over time
- Loss of appetite
- Slow or delayed growth
- Small, watery, bloody stools
- Explosive passage of stool & gas
4. What are the Treatment of Hirschsprung’s disease?
Surgery is the mainstay of the therapy. It involves removal of the part of the large intestine that lacks nerve cells followed by connecting the healthy part left behind to the anal opening if feasible.
In rarer severe cases, several operations may be required in an order for optimal and safe outcome.