Early diagnosis and treatment of Hirschsprung's disease in New Mexico.

Four decades ago, the mortality of congenital aganglionosis of the distal part of the colon (Hirschsprung's disease) approached 100 per cent. The development of diagnostic methods and curative operations lowered the mortality to 5 to 10 per cent. Enterocolitis remained the major cause of death. In this series of 18 children with Hirschsprung's disease, the majority were diagnosed as neonates. Although enterocolitis was present at diagnosis in four (22 per cent), all children survived after prompt surgical therapy. Neonatal diagnosis and treatment may prevent the development of fatal enterocolitis, virtually eliminating the mortality of Hirschsprung's disease.