Meckel diverticulum
A Meckel diverticulum is a pouch on the wall of the lower part of the small intestine that is present at birth (congenital). The diverticulum may contain tissue similar to that of the stomach or pancreas. The abnormal tissue can secrete acid, which may irritate the tissues.
Causes
A Meckel diverticulum is tissue left over from when a baby's digestive tract was forming before birth. A small number of people have a Meckel diverticulum. However, only a few develop symptoms.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Pain in the abdomen that can be mild or severe.
- Blood in the stool. This may be red, black and sticky, or maroon and jelly-like (called currant-jelly stools). Bleeding is often painless.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Symptoms often occur during the first few years of life. However, they may not start until adulthood.
Exams and Tests
You may have the following tests:
- Hematocrit
Hematocrit
Hematocrit is a blood test that measures how much of a person's blood is made up of red blood cells as opposed to plasma. This measurement depends o...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The hemoglobin test measures how much hemoglobin is in your blood.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Stool smear for invisible blood (stool occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test)
Stool occult blood test
The stool guaiac test looks for hidden (occult) blood in a stool sample. It can find blood even if you cannot see it yourself. It is a common type ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - CT scan
- Technetium scan (also called a Meckel scan)
Technetium scan
A liver scan uses a radioactive material to check how well the liver or spleen is working and to assess masses in the liver.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
Treatment
You may need surgery to remove the diverticulum if bleeding develops, a blockage occurs, or a hole (perforated ulcer) in the small intestine happens. The segment of small intestine that contains the diverticulum is taken out. The ends of the intestine are sewn back together.
You may need to take iron supplements to treat anemia. You may need a blood transfusion if you have a lot of bleeding,
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most people recover fully from surgery and will not have the problem come back. Complications from the surgery are also unlikely.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Excess bleeding (hemorrhage) from the diverticulum
- Folding of the intestines (intussusception), a type of blockage
Intussusception
Intussusception is the sliding of one part of the intestine into another. This article focuses on intussusception in children.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Peritonitis
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Tear (perforation) of the bowel at the diverticulum
When to Contact a Medical Professional
See your health care provider right away if your child passes blood or bloody stool or has ongoing abdominal pain.
References
Bass LM, Wershil BK. Anatomy, histology, embryology, and developmental anomalies of the small and large intestine. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 98.
Kleigman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al. Intestinal duplications, Meckel diverticulum, and other remnants of the omphalomesenteric duct. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 377.
Meckel diverticulum - illustration
Meckel diverticulum is one of the most common congenital abnormalities. It occurs when the connection between the intestine and the umbilical cord doesn't completely close off during fetal development. This results in a small outpouching of the small intestine, know as a Meckel diverticulum. In most cases, Meckel diverticula do not cause any problems. In a small number of patients however, these diverticula can become infected (diverticulitis) cause an obstruction of the intestine, or cause bleeding from the intestine. The most common symptom of Meckel diverticulitis is painless bleeding from the rectum. The stools may contain fresh blood or may look black and tarry.
Meckel diverticulum
illustration
Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
Meckel's diverticulectomy - normal anatomy
Presentation
Meckel diverticulum - illustration
Meckel diverticulum is one of the most common congenital abnormalities. It occurs when the connection between the intestine and the umbilical cord doesn't completely close off during fetal development. This results in a small outpouching of the small intestine, know as a Meckel diverticulum. In most cases, Meckel diverticula do not cause any problems. In a small number of patients however, these diverticula can become infected (diverticulitis) cause an obstruction of the intestine, or cause bleeding from the intestine. The most common symptom of Meckel diverticulitis is painless bleeding from the rectum. The stools may contain fresh blood or may look black and tarry.
Meckel diverticulum
illustration
Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
Meckel's diverticulectomy - normal anatomy
Presentation
Review Date: 10/30/2024
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Gastroenterologist, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
All rights reserved.