Anyone can be born with Hirschsprungs disease, but babies with Down syndrome have a 10 times higher chance of having it

Hirschsprungs disease is a congenital condition, meaning born with it. Nothing the mother did during pregnancy causes this. Sometimes it can be genetic, but not always.

What is it?

Sometimes babies are born with missing nerve cells in a part of the colon, or large intestine.

Why is this a problem?

Depending on the severity of the case, the baby will have trouble having a bowel movement, or may be unable to pass stool at all. There will be problems absorbing nutrients, and severe constipation.

Signs and Symptoms

In Newborns--

• Diarrhea
• Gas or constipation (fussy baby)
• Vomiting bile (a liquid with a greenish tint) or just vomiting
• No bowel movement within 24-48 hours

• Trouble gaining weight
• Abdomen swollen
• Weight loss, diarrhea, problems absorbing nutrients, all leading to delayed or slow growth
• Colon infections
• Enterocolitis—a serious infection of the colon

• Low red blood cell count
• Chronic constipation

The answer is surgery. The part of the colon with no nerve cells is removed. After this operation, nine out of ten kids are able to pass stool normally.

For more Down syndrome symptoms, click here.

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