Signs Of Hirschsprung Disease

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.