Delayed diagnosis in Hirschsprung disease

This retrospective study of 45 patients with Hirschsprung disease diagnosed after 12 months of age found that delayed diagnosis occurred in 16.4% of cases, primarily due to mild symptoms including normal meconium passage. Despite diagnostic delays averaging 41 months, functional outcomes did not differ significantly from timely-diagnosed patients, though authors emphasize the importance of low-threshold rectal suction biopsy in chronically constipated children.