Most people who undergo surgery for Hirschsprung’s disease recover without problems. Any time a person has a general anesthesia and surgery, however, there is a possibility of complications. These include bleeding, infection or a blockage of the bowel after surgery due to scarring or other factors.

Treatment almost always requires surgery. Fortunately, most children who have surgery are fully cured and able to pass bowel movements (BMs) normally. Hirschsprung disease can cause constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Overall, the most common complications are anastomotic leakage and stricture formation in 5%-15%, wound infection in 10%, intestinal obstruction in 5%, pelvic abscess in 5%, and reoperation in 5% of patients.

Analysis of long-term function in children after surgical management is difficult. The most commonly encountered problems include constipation, incontinence, enterocolitis and the overall impact of the disease on lifestyle (quality of life). Other complications are less frequent.

What is the prognosis (outlook) for people who have Hirschsprung disease? Most children with Hirschsprung disease gain weight, grow and thrive after surgery to correct the problem. Rarely, a child may need a second (revisional) pull-through surgery.

While a mutation in a single gene sometimes causes the condition, mutations in multiple genes may be required in some cases. The genetic cause of the condition is unknown in approximately half of affected individuals. Mutations in the RET gene are the most common known genetic cause of Hirschsprung disease.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), or congenital intestinal aganglionosis, is a relatively common disorder of neural crest migration. It has a strong genetic basis, although simple Mendelian inheritance is rarely observed.

They often have fever, appear lethargic and may become dehydrated. This is a life-threatening medical problem for which immediate care is needed. About 75 percent of children with Hirschsprung disease have symptoms of abdominal distension, and about 25 percent have bilious vomiting.

Hirschsprung disease affects males 3 to 4 times more often than females, although long-segment HSCR has a gender ratio of 1:1. The disorder occurs in approximately one in 5,000 live births. It is usually apparent shortly after birth, but may present in older children and adults.

The main signs and symptoms of Hirschsprung disease are constipation or intestinal obstruction, usually appearing shortly after birth. Most often, an infant or a child with Hirschsprung disease will have other symptoms, including growth failure, swelling of the abdomen, unexplained fever, or vomiting.

Newborns with Hirschsprung disease may: be unable to pass stool within the first or second day of life. have a swollen belly, bloating, or gas.

The colon has to empty daily long enough for it to shrink back to a normal size and for its tone to return to normal. This process takes months longer than it takes for the symptoms to improve. How do I help my child if they are afraid to go because it hurts?

Hirschsprung’s disease is a very serious condition. But if found quickly, it can almost always be cured by surgery. Doctors will usually do one of two types of surgery: Pull-through procedure: This surgery simply cuts out the part of the large intestine with the missing nerve cells.

If your child has constipation after surgery for Hirschsprung’s disease, discuss with your doctor whether to try any of the following: Serve high-fiber foods. If your child eats solid foods, include high-fiber foods. Offer whole grains, fruits and vegetables and limit white bread and other low-fiber foods.

Hirschsprung’s disease. Hirschsprung’s disease (HD or HSCR) is a birth defect in which nerves are missing from parts of the intestine. The most prominent symptom is constipation. Other symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and slow growth.

There are two main ways of diagnosing Hirschsprung’s disease. These include taking a biopsy (a sample of tissue) from the rectum and an X-ray examination of the lower portion of the bowel. The biopsy sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis by a pathologist.