Signs Of Hirschsprung Disease

Hirschsprung's disease is a type of congenital disability that involves missing nerve cells. Individuals with Hirschsprung's disease do not have nerve cells situated along the end of their bowel, and this can make it difficult for them to have proper bowel movements. Hirschsprung's disease is congenital which means it is present at birth. Therefore, most of the symptoms will appear as soon as a baby is born. The condition can be very dangerous if left untreated, so it is essential for new parents to be on the lookout for symptoms of Hirschsprung's disease. Symptoms may appear right at birth, or it may be mild enough that it is not detected until early childhood. These are the most typical warning signs of Hirschsprung's disease.

No Bowel Movement In Forty-Eight Hours After Birth

One of the most obvious signs of Hirschsprung's disease is a baby who has no bowel movement in forty-eight hours after their birth. This does not happen with every individual who has Hirschsprung's disease, but it is quite common. Doctors and nurses frequently monitor infant bowel movements in the hospital because they are keeping an eye out for this symptom. In general, an infant's first bowel movement is a sign everything is working well in their gastrointestinal system. Healthy infants tend to have bowel movements fairly soon after birth. However, since Hirschsprung's disease makes it difficult for the colon to move, many infants who have the condition will end up unable to have a bowel movement. They will eat normally, but instead of having a bowel movement, their stomach will look swollen and be sensitive to the touch.

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