Hirschsprung disease

Hirschsprung’s disease is a rare disease that develops primarily in a sporadic form (no family history), although some familial forms have been discovered.

This is an anomaly in the operation of the terminal part of the intestine which results in constipation or bowel obstruction. This anomaly arises from the lack of congenital development of neuroglioma cells that ensure the transmission of necessary information for intestinal control.

Newborns and infants between 3 and 5 months are affected by this disease. It can affect the colon, the sigmoid or the rectum.

Manifestations:

• Abdomen’s bloating

• Rare saddles that can be very firm, very difficult to evacuate, sometimes alternating with episodes of diarrhea.

Symptoms:

• Chronic constipation

• Inflammation of the intestine

Tests for diagnosing:

• Ante-natal ultrasound

• Electromyography

• Manometry

Treatments:

• Colostomy: when the colon is affected in its entirety

• Colotomy

• Introduction of a catheter into the rectum

• Make slight enemas