Objective      To determine the probability and significance of calretinin (CR) in the clinical diagnosis of Hirschsprung’s disease (HD).       Methods      A total of 495 children with pathologically confirmed HD via hematoxylin-eosin staining who admitted in our hospital from January 2008 to August 2014 were enrolled in this study. They were 387 boys and 108 girls

178 of them were at an age o 0 to 3 months

and 317 older than 3 months

and at a mean age of 12 months and 14 d. Clinical data of contrast enema (CE)

anorectal manometry (ARM) and rectal suction biopsy (RSB) were collected

and the clinical value of CR was analyzed with positive rates by above examinations.       Results      Among the 495 HD children

435 received CE preoperatively and 353 were diagnosed as HD

with a diagnostic rate of 81.1%. There were 265 cases showing no rectoanal inhibitory reflex by ARM preoperatively

and the positive rate was 90.6%. For the 254 cases receiving CR staining after RSB (112 cases before and 142 cases after the surgery)

249 cases were negative to CR

with a diagnostic rate of 99.6%. Its positive rate was 98.2% before surgery

and 100% after surgery.       Conclusion      The clinical diagnosis of HD should be based on medical history

typical physical examination and auxiliary examination. Immunohistochemical assay for CR through RSB is of high diagnostic value

and should be widely used in clinical practice

and regarded as an important index in preoperative diagnosis of HD.