Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of Hirschsprung's disease include:

• Having a sibling who has Hirschsprung's disease. Hirschsprung's disease can be inherited. If you have one child who has the condition, future biological siblings could be at risk.
• Being male. Hirschsprung's disease is more common in males.
• Having other inherited conditions. Hirschsprung's disease is associated with certain inherited conditions, such as Down syndrome and other abnormalities present at birth, such as congenital heart disease.