Patients with Hirschsprung's disease often present during early infancy. Occasionally they may present later in childhood and even as adults.
There may be a family history of Hirschsprung's disease.
Clinical presentation:
(1) failure to pass meconium during first 48-72 hours after birth
(2) chronic constipation
(3) obstruction with abdominal distention
(4) vomiting which may be bile or blood stained
(5) release of gas or stool on digital rectal exam or enema
(6) perforation at the cecum or appendix
(7) enterocolitis
A person with one or more of the clinical findings, especially if there is a family history or no other explanation, should be tested for Hirschsprung's disease.
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