Hirschsprungs Disease Flashcards
what is hirschsprungs disease?
Hirschsprung’s (HIRSH-sproongz) disease is a condition that affects the large intestine (colon) and causes problems with passing stool. Hirschsprung’s disease is present when a baby is born (congenital) and results from missing nerve cells in the muscles of part or all of the baby’s colon.
an area of the colon has no nerves, and food just stops there and accumulate. NO NERVES, NO PERISTALSIS IN THAT SPOT
hirschsprungs disease is a congenital anomaly ( AKA aganglionic______) that results in a mechanical obstruction along the bowel.
megacolon
what part of the bowel does this H.sprungs disease usually affect?
the sigmoid colon
presenting symptoms of hirshsprung?
- constipation
- abdominal distention
- foul smelling ribbon-like stools