Pseudomembranous colitis: a lethal complication of Hirschsprung's disease unrelated to antibiotic usage

Seventy-two new cases of Hirschsprung's disease were seen between 1980 and 1985. Twenty-six patients (36%) developed the clinical features of enterocolitis and, of nine patients who died, colitis was the immediate cause of death in six. Histologic material was available from 20 patients with colitis; this showed nonspecific inflammation typical of Hirschsprung's colitis in 13 cases but seven had pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). Five of the patients with PMC had not recently been exposed to antibiotics. PMC was responsible for three of the six deaths from colitis. All patients with Hirschsprung's disease who develop signs of colitis should have stool testing for Clostridium difficile toxin and should be treated with an antibiotic active against Clostridium difficile.