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Mortality due to constipation and short-segment Hirschsprung's disease
S J Singh1, S Arbuckle, D Little
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK. shailinder.singh@mail.qmcuh-tr.trent.nhs.uk
Pediatric Surgery International
|October 19, 2004
Summary
Severe constipation caused a fatal intestinal obstruction in a 12-year-old. Postmortem revealed no enteric nervous system abnormalities. Short-segment Hirschsprung
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pathology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Constipation is a common pediatric issue.
- Intestinal obstruction is a rare but serious complication.
- Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital disorder affecting the large intestine.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old boy with chronic constipation presented with intestinal obstruction.
- The patient died post-laparotomy.
- A neonate died from Hirschsprung's disease, specifically short-segment aganglionosis.
Findings:
- Postmortem examination of the 12-year-old showed no enteric nervous system abnormalities, suggesting idiopathic constipation as the cause of obstruction.
- Short-segment Hirschsprung's disease was identified postmortem in the neonate.
- Enterocolitis is a rapid and potentially fatal complication of short-segment Hirschsprung's disease.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for severe outcomes from idiopathic constipation in children.
- Postmortem diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease is feasible.
- Prompt recognition and management of enterocolitis in Hirschsprung's disease are critical for survival.