Hirschsprung's disease

Updated: 2017-06-13

Overview

Hirschsprung's disease involves missing nerve cells in the muscles of part or all of the large intestine (colon). Present at birth, it causes difficulty passing stool.

Symptoms

The main symptom is a newborn's failure to have a bowel movement within 48 hours after birth. Other symptoms include a swollen belly and vomiting.

Treatments

Surgery is needed to bypass the affected part of the colon or remove it entirely.