BACKGROUND: Hirschsprung's disease presents unique characteristics in Africans. Previous literature has reported high complication rates. We examined our single-institution experience with Hirschsprung's disease (HD) to evaluate outcomes related to the different phases of care. STUDY DESIGN: Records were reviewed for children with HD managed during the years 2002 to 2006. Morbidities and mortalities were evaluated in relation to the different phases of care. Categorical variables were compared

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... sing Chi-square analysis. SETTING: Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) a teaching and referral hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective review of a single-institution experience with treatment for HD has demonstrated a morbidity rate similar to other centres but a mortality rate higher than in published literature. Only 39% of patients with HD present during the neonatal period in our environment. The long duration of colostomy is associated with complications, prolonged duration of treatment as well as significant losses to follow up. A single-stage repair may expedite care and reduce the colostomy morbidity.