Incidence of Hirschsprung Disease at the Central Pediatrics Teaching Hospital in Iraq: A Pathological Overview.

BACKGROUND

Hirschsprung disease (HD) is a congenital disorder associated with specific missense mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. This study aimed to demonstrate the incidence of Hirschsprung disease and its clinical and pathological aspects in an Iraqi pediatric cohort from a major referral hospital in Baghdad.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted over a ten-year period, reviewing the clinical and surgical records of patients diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease. Pathological sections were re-evaluated, and patient medical histories, prior surgeries, and other relevant clinical data were confirmed.

RESULTS

A total of 106 cases of Hirschsprung disease were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 2.4 ± 3.0 years, with 40.6% of cases diagnosed within the first year of life. The male-to-female ratio was 2.6:1. The most commonly affected anatomical sites were the colon (35.8%) and rectum (23.6%). Pathological evaluation revealed the absence of ganglion cells in 57.5% of cases. Rectal biopsy was the most frequently performed diagnostic procedure (64.2%), and colon resection was required in 35.8% of cases. A significant association was found between disease presence and anatomical site involvement (P = 0.010) and surgical intervention (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

The study highlights a male predominance in Hirschsprung disease, with the majority of cases diagnosed within the first year of life. The rectum and colon were the most commonly affected sites. Significant associations were observed between disease presence and anatomical site involvement, as well as surgical interventions, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management strategies.