What are the symptoms of Hirschsprung's disease?

Congenital Hirschsprung's disease is a common disease in daily life. Its occurrence is very harmful to human health. Therefore, mothers must understand the symptoms of congenital Hirschsprung's disease and ensure early detection and early treatment to minimize the harm to the baby.

1. Constipation

In most cases, there is delayed excretion of meconium after birth, intractable constipation and abdominal distension. The children have different clinical manifestations depending on the length of the diseased intestine. No meconium is excreted or only a small amount of meconium is excreted within 24 to 48 hours after birth. Symptoms of low partial or even complete intestinal obstruction may appear within 2 to 3 days, with vomiting, abdominal distension and no bowel movements. The longer the spasm period, the earlier and more severe the constipation symptoms will appear. If the spasm segment is not too long, a large amount of meconium and gas can be discharged and the symptoms can be relieved after rectal examination or warm saline enema. If the spasm segment is not too long, the obstruction symptoms are difficult to relieve and sometimes require emergency surgery. After the symptoms of intestinal obstruction are relieved, constipation and abdominal distension still occur, and regular anal dilation and enema are required to defecate. In severe cases, the patient cannot defecate without enema, and the abdominal distension gradually worsens.

2. Vomiting

Vomiting is a common symptom of neonatal megacolon. Generally, it occurs less frequently, but some patients vomit frequently. The vomitus may contain bile and occasionally fecal matter.

3. Abdominal bloating

Most children have abdominal distension. Due to severe abdominal distension, the navel protrudes outward, the skin of the abdominal wall becomes shiny, the veins become dilated, and even the diaphragm is compressed, causing difficulty in breathing. Fecal accumulation causes the colon to thicken and dilate, and giant intestinal patterns and peristaltic waves can sometimes be seen in the abdomen. In children, fecal-filled intestinal loops and fecal stones can be felt in the left lower abdomen.

4. Malnutrition and developmental delay

Due to long-term constipation, poor appetite, and nutrient absorption disorders, the growth and development of children lags significantly behind normal children of the same age. The symptoms become more obvious as they grow older, and they may develop symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, and lower limb edema.