What are the symptoms of Hirschsprung's disease

The symptoms of Hirschsprung's disease are mainly digestive system problems such as stubborn constipation, abdominal distension, vomiting, etc. in the neonatal period. In severe cases, it may lead to intestinal obstruction. It is necessary to seek medical attention as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. This disease can usually be observed shortly after birth, and early intervention is critical to prognosis.

1 Early symptoms:

In the neonatal period, the disease may manifest as delayed meconium excretion for more than 48 hours after birth, significant abdominal distension, and repeated vomiting, which may contain bile. This is because the child's intestine lacks ganglion cells, resulting in a loss of local intestinal peristalsis and functional obstruction. In mild cases, symptoms may be relatively hidden until a few months later due to long-term constipation and malnutrition.

2 Further symptoms in childhood:

Children who are not diagnosed and treated promptly may have worsening constipation as they age, which may be accompanied by bloating and frequent abdominal pain. Long-term constipation can cause severe enlargement of the intestines, forming "megacolon." Failure to gain weight or growth retardation may be a sign of the disease. Some severe cases may also develop a dangerous complication called "enterotoxaemia."

3. Diagnosis and examination methods:

Doctors usually make a preliminary judgment based on medical history and physical examination, and make a definitive diagnosis through abdominal X-ray examination, barium enema, rectal biopsy, etc. Among them, rectal biopsy can directly confirm the loss of ganglion cells and is the most reliable diagnostic method. The physiological characteristics of abnormal intestinal segments are usually manifested as narrow segments and significantly dilated proximal intestines in imaging examinations.

4 Treatment methods and suggestions:

The standard treatment for this disease is surgery to remove the affected aganglionic segment of the intestine. Common surgical procedures include transanal surgery such as the Soave procedure or laparoscopic surgery. After surgery, children need to pay attention to dietary adjustments and increase dietary fiber. At the same time, they need regular follow-up to observe possible complications such as intestinal strictures or inflammatory complications. If the disease is mild, the doctor may recommend short-term enema to relieve symptoms, but this is only as a preoperative treatment.

If a newborn baby shows symptoms such as failure to pass meconium, persistent constipation or abdominal distension, one should be highly alert to the possibility of Hirschsprung's disease, seek medical attention promptly and complete relevant examinations. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can effectively improve the child's quality of life and prognosis.