Hirschsprung's enterocolitis, prostaglandins, and response to cholestyramine.

An infant with Hirschsprung's enterocolitis developed a fulminant secretory diarrhea unresponsive to all conventional therapy until cholestyramine was administered. A 12-fold decrease in prostaglandin E (PGE) levels in the colostomy fluid was documented in response to cholestyramine therapy. It is postulated that increased PGE activity, enterotoxin, and bile acid malabsorption may be involved in the enterocolitis of Hirschsprung's disease.