Information from Your Family Doctor

Hirschsprung’s Disease: What You Should Know

Am Fam Physician. 2006 Oct 15;74(8):1327-1328.

What is Hirschsprung’s Disease?

People with Hirschsprung’s (HERSH-sprungz) disease don’t have certain nerve cells in their large bowel (part of the digestive system). These cells are called ganglion (gang-GLEE-on) cells. The bowel won’t work right without them (see drawing). Most people with this disease start having problems when they are babies.

What are the symptoms?

Babies with this disease usually have trouble passing stools and don’t eat like other babies. They may have diarrhea or constipation, and their stomach may be swollen. They may not grow or gain weight like other babies.

How can my doctor tell if my baby has the disease?

Your doctor may give your child special tests or send you to a specialist. The specialist may test a small piece of your baby’s intestines to tell if your baby has the disease.

How is it treated?

Most children with the disease need surgery. The surgeon will take out the part of the bowel that doesn’t have ganglion cells.

Most children with the disease live normal lives after they heal from surgery. Some have problems passing stools. Eating foods that are high in fiber (for example, certain fruits and vegetables and whole grains) can help.

Some children get an infection in their bowel after surgery. The infection usually causes bad-smelling, watery stools. You should watch for this infection for up to 10 years after your child’s surgery. If you think your child has an infection, take him or her to the doctor right away.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor

American Academy of Family Physicians

Web site: http://familydoctor.org

American Pediatric Surgical Association

Web site: http://www.eapsa.org/parents/hirschsprungs.cfm

Telephone: 1–847–480–9576

Hirschsprung’s and Motility Disorders Support Network

Web site: http://www.hirschsprungs.info

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Web site: http://www.aboutkidsgi.org/hirschsprungs.html

Telephone: 1–888–964–2001

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Web site: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hirschsprungs_ez/

Telephone: 1–800–891–5389

United Ostomy Associations of America

Web site: http://www.uoaa.org

Telephone: 1–800–826–0826

This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other health-related information is available from the AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Copyright © 2006 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
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