An Unexpected Case of Chronic Constipation in A 16-Year-Old Girl Turned Out to Be Hirschsprung’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Constipation is a disorder in the gastrointestinal tract, which can result in the infrequent stools, difficult stool passage with pain and stiffness. A large sum of public funds is also being spent on caring for children with constipation due to repeated hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and regular clinic visits because of recurrent exacerbations of their symptom. Case: An older children 16-year-old girl complaining of not having smooth bowel movements since birth. She complaints of nausea, vomiting, and flatulence are present. The stomach is minimal enlarged, but stomach pain is absent. the patient underwent a barium enema colon examination and underwent a punch biopsy operation which confirming the diagnosis of Hirschsprung’s disease. The patient underwent trans endorectal pull-through (TERPT). Several weeks later, the patient returned to the pediatric surgery clinic for a follow-up, and it was found that the patient’s intestinal function was normal. There were no complaints of vomiting, bloating, or abdominal pain. Conclusion: Chronic constipation in older children cannot rule out the possibility of a diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease. Medical history alarm symptoms or signs in children differ according to the age of onset of symptoms. A series of tests should be performed to exclude underlying diseases. so that the chosen treatment can become definitive therapy.