Who is at risk of Hirschsprung disease?
Studies show that nearly 1 in 5,000 newborns is born with Hirschsprung disease. Some children are more likely to develop the condition than others. According to National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), boys are three to four times more likely to develop the condition that girls
People with a family history of a sibling or parent are more likely to develop the Hirschsprung disease during birth. In some cases, the condition may also develop with other conditions. Studies show that 30% of children who develop Hirschsprung disease at birth are born with other atypical conditions. The atypical condition may affect other parts of the body such as the face, heart, hands, or head. In some cases, the disease may occur in children born with Down syndrome or other chromosomal diseases.
What are the causes of Hirschsprung disease?
Hirschsprung disease occurs when the nerve cells in certain parts of the intestine do not develop properly before birth. There is no recent research that shows what causes this condition, but some scientists believe that certain genes could make a child more susceptible to Hirschsprung disease.