Educational content from recorded physician discussions — not medical advice. Talk to your (or your child's) care team about your situation.
Podcast
Long-term obstetric and gynecologic care for patients with anorectal malformations
21 min · Published Sep 2026
Podcast
Post-pubertal gynecologic evaluation and management of patients with anorectal malformations
22 min · Published Sep 2026
Podcast
Pre-pubertal gynecologic evaluation and management of patients with anorectal malformations
23 min · Published Sep 2026
Podcast
Methods of gynecologic evaluation for patients with anorectal malformations
21 min · Published Sep 2026
Podcast
Gynecologic care in patients with anorectal malformations: A primer and call to action
18 min · Published Sep 2026
Podcast
Evaluation and Management of Postsurgical Patient With Hirschsprung Disease Neurogastroenterology & Motility Committee: Position Paper of North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN)
17 min · Published Sep 2026
What the experts said
Families should always check with their child's pediatrician or the colorectal team when caring for their child's medical needs.
The colorectal team frequently recommends the use of saline to help flush or clean the colon of stool.
Saline flush can be given through a Malone or through an enema in the child's bottom.
Saline is used for irrigations, which is another way of cleaning the colon.
Saline can be expensive and is occasionally not covered by insurance.
Homemade saline doesn't cost much and is very easy to make.
The correct ratio for homemade saline is one cup of warm tap water mixed with half a teaspoon of table salt.
When scaling up saline preparation, add half a teaspoon of salt for each one cup of water (e.g., four cups water requires two teaspoons salt total).
Saline must be allowed to cool before using it in a flush, enema, or irrigation.
In the United States, it is perfectly safe to use water from the kitchen or bathroom sink for making saline.
In countries or places where the water is not safe to drink, boil the water for 15 minutes before adding the salt.
Homemade saline can be made in a large container ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.