Hussein is a four-year-old boy, diagnosed with Hirschsprung's Disease (HD), a serious, congenital illness which causes chronic constipation and severe discomfort, and can slow physical development. Children with HD are born without some or all of the nerves in the large intestine that are necessary for elimination. Left untreated, HD can cause infection, a ruptured colon, and death.
Hussein has a long history of hospitalizations and surgeries - first in Iraq and more recently in Jordan - aimed at treating his illness and its symptoms. Hussein and his family have lived in Jordan since late-2005. After performing numerous medical interventions, Jordanian doctors are now saying there is nothing more they can do for Hussein, who continues to suffer from HD and its debilitating, potentially lethal effects.
DAI is committed to supporting and advocating for Hussein. It may be that doctors in the U.S. can help him. The following brief "case history" gives a snapshot of the treatment Hussein has received.
Case History
Symptoms of Hirschsprung's Disease appeared at birth, when Hussein was unable to pass his meconium without the insertion of a thermometer. For the first six months of his life, Hussein passed a stool daily, but with difficulty. At eleven months, Hussein had a barium enema which resulted in a mega colon and narrowing at the anal region. His condition worsened, and for the next four months, he was unable to eliminate stools without an enema, which he received regularly.
At fifteen months, doctors dilated his anus. He continued to suffer from severe constipation/intestinal obstruction and was admitted to the hospital many times and treated conservatively.
At the age of two, he moved with his family to Amman. In December, 2005, he was admitted to a hospital in Amman. A biopsy taken from the distal end of his rectum confirmed an absence of autonomic plexus (HIRSCHSPRUNG S DISEASE). Hussein continued to receive a phosphate enema regularly for the next month.
On January, 20, 2006 Hussein had a DUHAMEL PULL -THROUGH operation and an appendectomy. His condition did not improve, and he passed only a very small, watery stool about twenty times per day.
In May, 2006 he had a barium enema without effect; he still has a mega colon.
On November, 12, 2006, he developed a right perianal abscess and was admitted to the hospital and treated conservatively (the abscess was diagnosed by C-T scan of pelvis ).
On December 20, 2006, doctors drained his abscess under G/A with daily dressing. Four days later, he was treated for LOW RECTAL FISTULA. At this time, a FISTULOGRAM showed HIGH ISCHEORECTAL FISTULA. As a result, three days later, on December 27, 2006, doctors performed a colostomy.
On February 7, 2007, Hussein was admitted to the hospital for complications arising from the perianal fistula which were treated by suturing for enhance healing.
On May 2, 2007, Hussein was admitted to the hospital due to repeated vomiting and fever. The diagnosis was PROLAPSED DISTAL COLOSTOMY. Four days later, doctors operated for the PROLAPSED DISTAL COLOSTOMY.
In October, 2007, doctors performed a SPHINCTEROTOMY. No improvement resulted.
On November, 14, 2007, Hussein was admitted to the hospital with a fracture of his left femur. Hospitalized for two weeks, with his leg in soft traction.
If you are interested in supporting Hussein, please consider advocating for him by sharing this case history with sympathetic medical experts in the U.S. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Noah Baker Merrill at noah@electroniciraq.net.
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