Hirschsprung’s Disease
Hirschsprung’s Disease is a genetic disorder that results in a difficulty in passing waste material from the body. This results in the congential absence of nerve cells (ganglia) in the bowel. In infants it may show up as very fussy eating, colic, and difficulty with digestion. Sometimes babies appear healthy for months, then show problems when they start to eat solid food, which is more difficult to digest. Waste material backs up, the colon becomes enlarged and stools may be watery. Children may vomit and have diarrhea alternating with constipation. Frequently, a lackluster appetite develops which can lead to failure to grow properly.
Associations/Groups:
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
Find information about symptoms, treatments, and more on a wide number of Gastrointestinal Disorders.
3015 Dunes West Boulevard Suite 512
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
Phone: 414-964-1799
Kids & Teens GI Health
On this site you will find support and information about digestive disorders in kids and teens – from the nonprofit IFFGD.
National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
Easy to understand information with diagrams on website.
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
Toll free: 1-800-860-8747
TTY: 1-866-569-1162
Email: healthinfo@niddk.nih.gov
Pull thru Network
Information, Education, Support and Advocacy for Families, Children, Teens and Adults Who Are Living With The Challenges of Congenital Anorectal, Colorectal or Urogenital Disorders
1705 Wintergreen Parkway
Normal, Illinois 61761
Phone: 309-262-0786
Contact Form: https://www.pullthrunetwork.org/contact/
Free membership required for message boards and some other features.
Other Information:
Information for Parents
KidsHealth info. Hirschsprung (HERSH-sproong) disease affects the intestine of newborns, babies, and toddlers. It makes them have trouble emptying their bowels. Most of the time, the problems with pooping start at birth, although in milder cases symptoms may appear months or years later.
Hirschsprung’s Disease
US National Library of Medicine Medline Plus has information. Hirschprung’s Disease is not a developmental disability.
Fact Sheet last updated on: 8/19/2024
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