这种疾病的发生率大约为 1/5000,使其变为一个相对常见的先天性问题。[5]Amiel J, Lyonnet S. Hirschsprung disease, associated syndromes, and genetics: a review. J Med Genet. 2001;38:729-739.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11694544?tool=bestpractice.com白种人中似乎更常见。虽然男孩受影响的概率远高于女孩,但是在女性中长段型表现的概率至少是一样的。[1]Peña A, Levitt MA. Pediatric Surgical Problems. In: Corman ML, ed. Colon and Rectal Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005:555-603.遗传模式似乎有多种因素;男性患者的姐妹的患病风险为 0.6%,而长段型病变的女性的兄弟患病风险为 18%。[6]Passarge E. The genetics of Hirschsprung's disease. Evidence for heterogeneous etiology and a study of sixty-three families. N Engl J Med. 1967;276:138-143.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4224912?tool=bestpractice.com
受到此疾病影响的所有个人中大约有 5% 到 32% 有相关的先天性畸形。[7]Moore SW. The contribution of associated congenital anomalies in understanding Hirschsprung's disease. Pediatr Surg Int. 2006;22:305-315.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16518596?tool=bestpractice.com唐氏综合征是常见的关联病征。[8]Graivier L, Sieber WK. Hirschsprung's disease and mongolism. Surgery. 1966;60:458-461.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4223811?tool=bestpractice.com[9]Black CT, Sherman JO. The association of low imperforate anus and Down's syndrome. J Pediatr Surg. 1989;24:92-94.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2524563?tool=bestpractice.com肛门直肠畸形极少与此病相关;然而,由于出生时患有肛门直肠畸形的大多数患者同时患有一定程度的便秘,先天性巨结肠可能被误诊。[10]Kiesewetter WB, Sukarochana K, Sieber WK. The frequency of aganglionosis associated with imperforate anus. Surgery. 1965;58:877-880.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4221184?tool=bestpractice.com