The most common complication of Hirschsprung disease is enterocolitis. Enterocolitis is swelling and infections in the large and small intestines, and severe cases may include explosive diarrhea and fever and be life-threatening. If Hirschsprung disease is left untreated, bowel obstruction occurs, which can cause sepsis and even death. Toxic megacolon is another grave complication that occurs when the colon swells, preventing gas and stool from passing, and the intestine becomes greatly distended. This can lead to bowel rupture.

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