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Hirschsprung's disease

Megacolon congenitum (morbus Hirschsprung) · Hirschsprungova nemoc

What it is

Nerve cells are missing from the end of the bowel from birth, so it cannot push stool along; the missing segment is removed.

Symptoms & signs

  • No meconium in the first 48 hours
  • swollen belly
  • green vomiting
  • constipation from infancy
  • poor growth

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Newborn with a swollen belly and green vomit
  • call 112 / 911 now Fever, swollen belly and smelly explosive diarrhoea in a baby
  • see a doctor soon Newborn not passing first stool within 48 hours
  • see a doctor soon Child with lifelong severe constipation and a swollen belly

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Rectal suction biopsy
  • bowel washouts
  • pull-through surgery
  • watch for enterocolitis

Natural & lifestyle

  • Diet and toilet routines after surgery
  • fibre and fluids

Emerging & experimental

  • Stem-cell grafts of gut nerves
  • laparoscopic transanal pull-through

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Laxative herbs — cannot replace missing nerves anecdotal / traditional
  • Abdominal massage — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional
  • Probiotics against enterocolitis — small studies early / small studies

ICD codes