Congenital Aganglionic Megacolon - Hirschsprung Disease

What can be done to prevent the disease?

This disease cannot be prevented. If a person has this disease, genetic counseling may be useful in understanding how the disease may be passed on to children.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Severely affected infants will die without treatment. Other long-term effects include a possible perforation of the intestine, and infection or inflammation of the intestines and colon. These, too, may lead to death. Treatment helps to prevent these complications.

What are the risks to others?

This disease is not contagious. It can be inherited in some cases. Genetic counseling may be useful for family members of children with this disease.