CURRENT APPROACHES TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF HIRSCHSPRUNG DISEASE IN NEWBORNS AND INFANTS (LITERATURE REVIEW AND FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE)

Abstract

The aim: To analyze the current state of the issue of Hirschsprung disease in newborns and infants on the basis of literature data and first-hand experience. Conclusions: 1. Hirschsprung disease should be suspected in all newborns with late meconium passage. 2. The main methods of diagnosing Hirschsprung disease in newborns and infants are the assessment of anamnestic data, clinical manifestations and features of the clinical course of the pathology, contrast enema, morphological examination of rectal biopsies and immunohistochemistry for ACE. 3. The presence of enterocolitis in newborns and infants should raise suspicion of Hirschsprung disease. 4. Low intestinal obstruction, perforation of the cecum, ascending or terminal small intestine, and peritonitis in the first days of a child’s life may be complications of Hirschsprung disease. 5. In newborns and infants, early diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease and timely surgical correction by one-stage surgery help improve treatment outcomes