When Chronic Constipation Tells a Deeper Story: A Case of Hirschsprung’s Disease
A 7-year-old male presented with long-standing gastrointestinal concerns that had been overlooked since early childhood. Chief Complaints: Fever (on and off) for 3–4 months Abdominal pain for 1 week Altered bowel habits since birth Poor weight gain Clinical Presentation: The patient had a history of chronic constipation since birth, associated with poor appetite and failure to thrive. On examination, he appeared undernourished with signs suggestive of systemic involvement. Key Investigations & Findings: Hematology: Severe microcytic hypochromic anemia (Hb: 7.2 g/dL) Inflammatory markers: Elevated CRP Liver function: Elevated bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT Imaging (CECT Abdomen): Narrowing of distal rectum and anal canal Dilatation of proximal colon (rectum, sigmoid, descending colon) Microbiology: Reactive for Salmonella typhi These findings indicated a functional obstruction with proximal bowel dilatation. Clinical Reasoning: Chronic constipation since birth, combined with radiological...