Hirschsprung’s Disease
Nicole Turner
Mattie Kohen
A&P
22 June 2010
Hirschsprung’s Disease Hirschsprung’s Disease was named after Harold Hirschsprung, a Danish physician, in 1886. It is a congenital disorder which means it is present at birth. It is an enlargement of the colon where ganglion cells, or nerve cells, are not present. This results in improper movement of the muscles in the bowel causing chronic constipation. The only certain method of diagnosis is a rectal biopsy. We will explore the symptoms, causes, and treatments of this disease. The severity of the condition will cause the symptoms to vary. The symptoms may appear in newborns, or children as they grow to be teenagers or adults, before the symptoms are recognized. In some cases, of Hirschsprung’s disease is severe, an infant is unable to have a bowel movement because of an n obstructed colon. In this case, a newborn may vomit bile, a green liquid, produced by the liver. The newborn may cry a lot or just be fretful because of gas or constipation. Some newborns may also have bouts of diarrhea. If the disease is not detected until the child is older, this would be considered a mild case of the disease. In older children, the symptoms can include problems with weight loss. Slow growth and a lack of weight gain can be attributed to problems absorbing nutrients. Chronic constipation and anemia may be signs of Hirschsprung’s in older children and adults. Anemia, not enough red blood cells, can occur because of a blood loss in the stool. A person with anemia may tire easily and have a pale color. The exact genetic cause of Herschsprung’s Disease is uncertain. Nerve cells (ganglion cells) form in the entire length of the colon. They form between the muscles, beginning at the top of the colon and ending at the rectum. Because nerve cells do not form entirely in the colon, the child will have Herschsprung’s Disease. Gene mutation in a few genes may be one reason this happens. The reasons are really not known.
Mattie Kohen
A&P
22 June 2010
Hirschsprung’s Disease Hirschsprung’s Disease was named after Harold Hirschsprung, a Danish physician, in 1886. It is a congenital disorder which means it is present at birth. It is an enlargement of the colon where ganglion cells, or nerve cells, are not present. This results in improper movement of the muscles in the bowel causing chronic constipation. The only certain method of diagnosis is a rectal biopsy. We will explore the symptoms, causes, and treatments of this disease. The severity of the condition will cause the symptoms to vary. The symptoms may appear in newborns, or children as they grow to be teenagers or adults, before the symptoms are recognized. In some cases, of Hirschsprung’s disease is severe, an infant is unable to have a bowel movement because of an n obstructed colon. In this case, a newborn may vomit bile, a green liquid, produced by the liver. The newborn may cry a lot or just be fretful because of gas or constipation. Some newborns may also have bouts of diarrhea. If the disease is not detected until the child is older, this would be considered a mild case of the disease. In older children, the symptoms can include problems with weight loss. Slow growth and a lack of weight gain can be attributed to problems absorbing nutrients. Chronic constipation and anemia may be signs of Hirschsprung’s in older children and adults. Anemia, not enough red blood cells, can occur because of a blood loss in the stool. A person with anemia may tire easily and have a pale color. The exact genetic cause of Herschsprung’s Disease is uncertain. Nerve cells (ganglion cells) form in the entire length of the colon. They form between the muscles, beginning at the top of the colon and ending at the rectum. Because nerve cells do not form entirely in the colon, the child will have Herschsprung’s Disease. Gene mutation in a few genes may be one reason this happens. The reasons are really not known.
Cited: Govenment. Medice Net . 2010. <http://www.medicinenet.com/hirschsprung_disease/article.htm>. Staff, Mayo Clinc. Mayo Clinc Hurschsprung 's Disease. 11 November 2008. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hirschsprungs-disease/ds00825>. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 8 June 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirschsprung 's_disease>.