Table 4.3Clinical features in children with Hirschsprung's disease and children with idiopathic constipation

Clinical signs and symptomsLewis et al., 2003Pini-Prato et al., 2007Khan et al., 2003Gosh et al., 1998
HDICHDICHDICHDIC
Number of children464047452515717124
Failure/delayed passage of meconium (%)<1y=65
>1y=81a
<1y=13
>1y=1
877641658.813.7
Abdominal distension (%)<1y=80
>1y=53
<1y=42
>1y=7
8520236
Enterocolitis (%)<1y=13
>1y=13
<1y=15
>1y=14
10.59470
Vomiting (%)<1y=72
>1y=23
<1y=21
>1y=0
Intestinal obstruction (%)490692
Failure to thrive (%)27.511228
Faecal impaction requiring manual evacuation (%)<1y=6<1y=30
>1y=46>1y=30
Palpable faecal masses (%)1722
Soiling (%)446.5013
Bleeding per rectum (%)030
Anal fissures (%)011
Severe behavioural /emotional problems (%)08
Classic triad: delayed passage of meconium + vomiting + abdominal distension (%)At least 34

98: at least 1 feature
Full triad: 0

60: at least 1 feature
1 or more of the following: delayed passage of meconium, vomiting, abdominal distension, a transition zone on contrast enema (%)10064
a

Data available for 59% of total sample including both HD and IC

All figures for clinical signs and symptoms are %

HD: Hirschsprung's disease, IC: idiopathic constipation, y: year

Cells shaded in blue: statistically significant comparisons

Non-shaded cells: non-statistically significant comparisons

Cells shaded in grey: variables not measured

From: 4, Clinical investigations

Cover of Constipation in Children and Young People
Constipation in Children and Young People: Diagnosis and Management of Idiopathic Childhood Constipation in Primary and Secondary Care.
NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 99.
National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health (UK).
London: RCOG Press; 2010.
Copyright © 2010, National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health.

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