What I need to know about Hirschsprung Disease
On this page:
- What is Hirschsprung disease (HD)?
- What are the large intestine, colon, rectum, and anus?
- Why does HD cause constipation?
- What causes HD?
- What are the symptoms of HD?
- How is HD diagnosed?
- How is HD treated?
- What will my child’s life be like after surgery?
- If I have more children, will they also have HD?
- Points to Remember
- Hope through Research
- Pronunciation Guide
- For More Information
- Acknowledgments
What is Hirschsprung disease (HD)?
Hirschsprung* disease (HD) is a disease of the large intestine that causes severe constipation or intestinal obstruction. Constipation means stool moves through the intestines slower than usual. Bowel movements occur less often than normal and stools are difficult to pass. Some children with HD can’t pass stool at all, which can result in the complete blockage of the intestines, a condition called intestinal obstruction. People with HD are born with it and are usually diagnosed when they are infants. Less severe cases are sometimes diagnosed when a child is older. An HD diagnosis in an adult is rare.
*See Pronounciation Guide for tips on how to say the words in bold type.
HD is a disease of the large intestine that causes severe constipation or intestinal obstruction.
What are the large intestine, colon, rectum, and anus?
The large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum, is the last part of the digestive tract. The large intestine’s main job is to absorb water and hold stool. The rectum connects the colon to the anus. Stool passes out of the body through the anus. At birth, the large intestine is about 2 feet long. An adult’s large intestine is about 5 feet long.
[Top]Why does HD cause constipation?
People with HD have constipation because they lack nerve cells in a part or all of the large intestine. The nerve cells signal muscles in the large intestine to push stool toward the anus. Without a signal to push stool along, stool will remain in the large intestine.
 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|
Healthy large intestine. Nerve cells are found throughout the large intestine. |
Short-segment HD. Nerve cells are missing from the last segment of the large intestine. |
Long-segment HD. Nerve cells are missing from most or all of the large intestine and sometimes the last part of the small intestine. |
How severe HD is depends on how much of the large intestine is affected. Short-segment HD means only the last part of the large intestine lacks nerve cells. Long-segment HD means most or all of the large intestine, and sometimes the last part of the small intestine, lacks nerve cells.
In a person with HD, stool moves through the large intestine until it reaches the part lacking nerve cells. At that point, the stool moves slowly or stops, causing an intestinal obstruction.
[Top]What causes HD?
Before birth, a child’s nerve cells normally grow along the intestines in the direction of the anus. With HD, the nerve cells stop growing too soon. Why the nerve cells stop growing is unclear. Some HD is inherited, meaning it is passed from parent to child through genes. HD is not caused by anything a mother did while pregnant.
[Top]What are the symptoms of HD?
The main symptoms of HD are constipation or intestinal obstruction, usually appearing shortly after birth. Constipation in infants and children is common and usually comes and goes, but if your child has had ongoing constipation since birth, HD may be the problem.
Symptoms in Newborns
Newborns with HD almost always fail to have their first bowel movement within 48 hours after birth. Other symptoms include
- green or brown vomit
- explosive stools after a doctor inserts a finger into the rectum
- swelling of the belly, also known as the abdomen
- lots of gas
- bloody diarrhea
Symptoms in Symptoms in Toddlers and Older Children
Symptoms of HD in toddlers and older children include
- not being able to pass stools without laxatives or enemas. A laxative is medicine that loosens stool and increases bowel movements. An enema is performed by flushing water, or sometimes a mild soap solution, into the anus using a special wash bottle.
- swelling of the abdomen.
- lots of gas.
- bloody diarrhea.
- slow growth or development.
- lack of energy because of a shortage of red blood cells, called anemia.
People with anemia tire easily because of a shortage of red blood cells.
How is HD diagnosed?
HD is diagnosed based on symptoms and test results.
A doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your child’s bowel movements. HD is much less likely if parents can identify a time when their child’s bowel habits were normal.
If HD is suspected, the doctor will do one or more tests.
X rays
An x ray is a black-and-white picture of the inside of the body. To make the large intestine show up better, the doctor may fill it with barium liquid. Barium liquid is inserted into the large intestine through the anus.
If HD is the problem, the last segment of the large intestine will look narrower than normal. Just before this narrow segment, the intestine will look bulged. The bulging is caused by blocked stool stretching the intestine.
Manometry
During manometry, the doctor inflates a small balloon inside the rectum. Normally, the rectal muscles will relax. If the muscles don’t relax, HD may be the problem. This test is most often done in older children and adults.
Biopsy
Biopsy is the most accurate test for HD. The doctor removes a tiny piece of the large intestine and looks at it with a microscope. If nerve cells are missing, HD is the problem.
[Top]How is HD treated?
Pull-through Procedure
HD is treated with surgery called a pull-through procedure. A surgeon removes the segment of the large intestine lacking nerve cells and connects the healthy segment to the anus. The pull-through procedure is usually done soon after diagnosis.
| Pull-through Procedure | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
Before pull-through surgery: The diseased segment doesn’t push stool. |
Step 1: The diseased segment is removed. |
Step 2: The healthy segment is attached to the remaining rectum. |
Ostomy surgery
An ostomy allows stool to leave the body through an opening in the abdomen. Although most children with HD do not need an ostomy, a child who has been very sick from HD may need an ostomy to get better before the pull-through procedure.
For ostomy surgery, the surgeon first takes out the diseased segment of the large intestine. The end of the healthy intestine is moved to an opening in the abdomen where a stoma is created. A stoma is created by rolling the intestine’s end back on itself, like a shirt cuff, and stitching it to the abdominal wall. An ostomy pouch is attached to the stoma and worn outside the body to collect stool. The pouch will need to be emptied several times each day.
If the surgeon removes the entire large intestine and connects the small intestine to the stoma, the surgery is called an ileostomy. If the surgeon leaves part of the large intestine and connects it to the stoma, the surgery is called a colostomy.
Later, during the pull-through procedure, the surgeon removes the stoma and closes the abdomen with stitches.
| Ostomy Surgery | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
Step 1: The diseased segment is removed. |
Step 2: The healthy intestine is moved to an opening in the abdomen where a stoma is created.
|
What will my child's life be like after surgery?
After Ostomy Surgery
Infants will feel better after ostomy surgery because they will be able to easily pass gas and stool.
Older children will feel better, too, but they must adjust to living with an ostomy. They will need to learn how to take care of the stoma and how to change the ostomy pouch. With a few changes, children with ostomies can lead normal lives. However, they may worry about being different from their friends. A special nurse called an ostomy nurse can answer questions and show how to care for an ostomy.
An ostomy nurse can answer questions and show how to care for an ostomy.
After the Pull-through Procedure
Most children pass stool normally after the pull-through procedure. Children may have diarrhea for awhile, and infants and toddlers may develop diaper rash, which is treatable with diaper creams. Over time, stool will become more solid and the child will go to the bathroom less often. Toilet training may take longer. Children often must learn how to use the muscles of the anus after surgery. Some children may leak stool for awhile, but most will learn to have better bowel control as they get older.
Diet and Nutrition
After the pull-through procedure, children with long-segment HD need to drink more fluids. Now that the large intestine is shorter, or entirely gone, it is less able to absorb fluids the body needs. Drinking more helps make up for the loss.
After the pull-through procedure, children with long-segment HD need to drink more fluids.
Some infants may need tube feedings for awhile. A feeding tube allows infant formula or milk to be pumped directly into the stomach or small intestine. The feeding tube is passed through the nose or through an incision in the abdomen.
Eating high-fiber foods can help reduce constipation and diarrhea. Fiber helps form stool, making bowel movements easier. High-fiber foods include whole-grain breads, vegetables, and fruits. Some children may need laxatives to treat ongoing constipation. Consult a doctor before giving a laxative to your child.
Infection
People with HD can suffer from an infection of the intestines, called enterocolitis, before or after surgery. Symptoms include
- fever
- swollen abdomen
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- bleeding from the rectum
- lack of energy
Call the doctor right away if your child shows any of these signs.
Children with enterocolitis need to go to the hospital. An intravenous (IV) tube is inserted into a vein to give fluids and antibiotics. The large intestine is rinsed regularly with a mild saltwater solution until all stool has been removed. The solution may also contain antibiotics to kill bacteria. A temporary ostomy may be needed to help the intestine heal.
Sometimes infection is a sign of a problem with the pull-through procedure. More surgery may be needed to correct the problem and prevent future infections.
[Top]If I have more children, will they also have HD?
If you have a child with HD, your chance of having more children with HD is greater. Talk with your doctor about the risk.
Points to Remember
- Hirschsprung disease (HD) is a disease of the large intestine that causes severe constipation or intestinal obstruction. People with HD are born with it.
- The large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum, is the last part of the digestive tract.
- The cause of HD is unclear. HD is not caused by anything a mother did while pregnant.
- The main symptoms of HD are constipation or intestinal obstruction, usually appearing shortly after birth.
- Newborns with HD almost always fail to have their first bowel movement within 48 hours after birth.
- HD is diagnosed based on symptoms and test results.
- HD is treated with surgery called a pull-through procedure.
- A child who has been very sick from HD may need an ostomy to get better before the pull-through procedure.
- Most children pass stool normally after the pull-through procedure.
- People with HD can suffer from an infection of the intestines, called enterocolitis, before or after surgery.
- If you have a child with HD, your chance of having more children with HD is greater.
Hope through Research
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts and supports basic and clinical research into many digestive disorders, including HD. Scientists are studying the genetics involved in HD to improve diagnosis, treatment, and genetic counseling. They are also looking at therapies for treating enterocolitis, a major complication of HD.
Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research. For information about current studies, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov.
[Top]Pronunciation Guide
abdomen (AB-doh-men)
anemia (uh-NEE-mee-uh)
anus (AY-nuhss)
barium (BA-ree-uhm)
biopsy (BY-op-see)
colostomy (koh-LOSS-toh-mee)
constipation (KON-stih-PAY-shuhn)
diarrhea (DY-uh-REE-uh)
enemas (EN-uh-muhz)
enterocolitis (EN-tur-oh-koh-LY-tiss)
Hirschsprung (HURSH-spruhng)
ileostomy (IL-ee-OSS-tuh-mee)
intestine (in-TESS-tin)
intravenous (IN-truh-VEE-nuhss)
laxatives (LAK-suh-tivz)
manometry (muh-NOM-uh-tree)
obstruction (ob-STRUHK-shuhn)
ostomy (OSS-tuh-mee)
rectum (REK-tuhm)
stoma (STOH-muh)
[Top]For More Information
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
P.O. Box 170864
Milwaukee, WI 53217–8076
Phone: 1–888–964–2001 or 414–964–1799
Fax: 414–964–7176
Email: iffgd@iffgd.org
Internet: www.iffgd.org
Pull-thru Network, Inc.
2312 Savoy Street
Hoover, AL 35226–1528
Phone: 205–978–2930
Email: PNTmail@charter.net
Internet: www.pullthrunetwork.org
United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc.
P.O. Box 66
Fairview, TN 37062–0066
Phone: 1–800–826–0826 or 615–799–2990
Fax: 615–799–5915
Email: info@uoaa.org
Internet: www.uoaa.org
You may also find additional information about this topic by visiting MedlinePlus at www.medlineplus.gov.
This publication may contain information about medications. When prepared, this publication included the most current information available. For updates or for questions about any medications, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toll-free at 1–888–INFO–FDA (1–888–463–6332) or visit www.fda.gov. Consult your doctor for more information.
Acknowledgments
Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and outside experts. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse would like to thank the following individuals for providing scientific and editorial review or facilitating field-testing of the original version of this publication:
Paul Hyman, M.D.
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, KS
Jacob C. Langer, M.D.
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Andrea M. Anastas
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Inc.
North Andover, MA
Kimberly Robinstein
Hirschsprungs & Motility Disorders Support Network, The Guardian Society
Land O' Lakes, FL
Thank you also to the parents of children with Hirschsprung disease and the nurse practitioners who helped shape this booklet.
[Top]National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892–3570
Phone: 1–800–891–5389
TTY: 1–866–569–1162
Fax: 703–738–4929
Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1980, the Clearinghouse provides information about digestive diseases to people with digestive disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. The NDDIC answers inquiries, develops and distributes publications, and works closely with professional and patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate resources about digestive diseases.
This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse encourages users of this publication to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.
This publication may contain information about medications. When prepared, this publication included the most current information available. For updates or for questions about any medications, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toll-free at 1–888–INFO–FDA (1–888–463–6332) or visit www.fda.gov. Consult your health care provider for more information.
NIH Publication No. 10–4384
February 2010
Page last updated May 10, 2012
