In Hirschsprung’s disease, nerves that control muscle contractions of the bowel to push feces along are missing from the end of the bowel. As a result, feces builds up and blocks the bowel.
The condition is present from birth. Symptoms, which are usually apparent within weeks of birth, include constipation, bloating, vomiting, poor feeding, and failure to gain weight.
Treatment is with surgery to remove the affected part of the bowel and then later to rejoin healthy sections.