What it is
It is treated with surgery to remove the affected part of the bowel. Some children need a temporary stoma.
Most children do well after surgery, though some have constipation or soiling for a while.
Common signs
- A newborn not passing meconium (first poo) within 48 hours
- Swollen tummy
- Vomiting green fluid
- Long-term constipation in older children
- Poor growth
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination
- X-rays
- A rectal biopsy
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Biopsy results
- Surgery and discharge letters
- Bowel management plans
- Paediatric surgery follow-up notes
Questions to ask your doctor
- What surgery will my child need?
- What should we watch for after the operation?
- What support is there for bowel problems later?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- A child with a swollen tummy, fever, smelly diarrhoea or green vomiting: call 112, it may be a serious bowel infection
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.