Hirschsprung's disease history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]} ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Hirschsprung’s disease is commonly diagnosed within the neonatal period. The cardinal symptoms of Hirschsprung’s disease include abdominal distension, delayed passage of meconium (not passed until 24-48 hours after birth), and vomiting.

• Delayed passage of meconium (not passed until 24-48 hours after birth).
• Ninety-four percent of Hirschsprung’s disease cases are diagnosed before the patient reaches 5 years of age.
• History of longstanding recurrent constipation relieved by laxatives.
• History of progressive abdominal distention, colicky pain, or acute intestinal obstruction.

The cardinal symptoms of Hirschsprung’s disease include:

• Abdominal distension
• Vomiting

Other common symptoms that can be observed in patients with Hirschsprung’s disease include:

• Constipation
• Malabsorption
• Poor weight gain
• Slow growth (0-5 years child)
• Watery diarrhea^[1][2]

• Hirschsprung’s disease is uncommon in adolescence.
• It appears as an ultra-short segment disease.
• Presents as a long-standing constipation requiring frequent laxatives.
• Other symptoms may include:
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Fecaloma
  • Abdominal distention^[3][4]