Question
My child hasn’t had a bowel movement for several days after birth, and the doctor says it might be congenital megacolon. I don’t know how to treat it?
Answer
Congenital megacolon is a common gastrointestinal congenital anomaly with a certain familial genetic predisposition. It is generally believed that congenital megacolon is caused by genetic and environmental factors, resulting from temporary ischemia and hypoxia of the embryo’s intestine under the condition of polygenic inheritance. The pathological changes include a lack of ganglion cells in the muscularis propria and submucosal plexus, an increase in the number of unmyelinated parasympathetic nerve fibers, and thickening, which are developmental stagnations. Due to the lack of ganglion cells, there can be sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve dysfunction and peptide nerve deficiency. The smooth surface of the pathogenic intestinal metaplasia continues to contract in a spastic state, leading to the disappearance of normal peristalsis and forming a functional intestinal obstruction. It is best for the child to undergo a detailed examination before treatment.