Meckel's Diverticulum
Meckel's diverticulum is a saclike outpouching of the wall of the small intestine present in some children at birth.
 See the figure Meckel's Diverticulum.
About 3% of infants are born with Meckel's diverticulum. People can live their whole lives without ever knowing they have Meckel's diverticulum, but occasionally the abnormality can cause problems.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Most children with Meckel's diverticulum have no symptoms, and many adults learn they have the condition only after surgeons discover it while performing surgery for another reason. The most common symptom in children younger than 2 years is painless rectal bleeding, which comes from ulcers in the small intestine caused by acid secreted by the diverticulum. Because of the bleeding, stools may appear bright red or brick- or currant jelly-colored because of a mixture of blood and mucus. Or they may appear black because of the breakdown of blood. Only rarely is the bleeding so severe that the child needs emergency attention.
Sometimes, the diverticulum can become inflamed or infected, a condition called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis caused by a Meckel's diverticulum causes severe pain, abdominal tenderness, and sometimes vomiting and can easily be confused with appendicitis.
It is often difficult for doctors to diagnose Meckel's diverticulum. Blood tests, x-rays, computed tomography (CT), and barium enemas are not usually helpful. The best test is an imaging study called a Meckel radionuclide scan, in which a substance is given intravenously and is taken up by the diverticulum and detected by a camera.
Treatment
No treatment is needed for a diverticulum that does not cause symptoms. A bleeding diverticulum or one that causes symptoms must be surgically removed. If a Meckel's diverticulum is found in a child during an operation being performed for another reason, it is generally removed to prevent future complications.
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