Signs Of Hirschsprung Disease

Abdominal Pain

Since Hirschsprung's disease can essentially cause chronic constipation, it is no surprise it results in a lot of abdominal discomfort. The stomach may look swollen and be tender to the touch, or a patient with Hirschsprung's disease may experience unpleasant cramping and twinges. However, this symptom can be surprisingly hard to catch since signs of Hirschsprung's disease start showing up so early. New parents may not be able to tell if an infant is crying because they are sleepy, distressed, hungry, or in pain. Since the infant cannot tell you they are in pain, be on the lookout for crying that starts when the stomach is touched, intense grimaces during crying, and a tense, stiff posture. Abdominal pain can also happen after children are old enough to tell you about it. A child with mild Hirschsprung's disease may frequently complain about their stomach hurting.

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Failure To Thrive

In some cases, Hirschsprung's disease is not evident right away. However, as an infant grows older, more symptoms of Hirschsprung's disease may become evident. One of the symptoms that only appears a few months into a child's life is a failure to thrive. It is normal for infants to lose a little weight right after birth when they are getting used to breastfeeding or drinking milk instead of receiving nutrition through an umbilical cord. However, a child with Hirschsprung's disease may continue to lose weight even a few weeks after birth. Those who gain weight tend to do so at a slower pace than healthy children, which can eventually result in failure to thrive, a condition where a child does not have an appropriate amount of weight gain. They may look tiny, have visible bones, or have sunken eyes. This type of symptom occurs because Hirschsprung's disease makes it difficult to properly digest food. Children who have the condition might not be able to absorb the calories and nutrients they need to fuel themselves.

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