It is the most commoncongenitalanomaly (anatomical difference present at birth) of the gastrointestinal system.
This condition usually doesn’t cause symptoms and a person may never know they have it.
But it can sometimes lead to serious bleeding, bowel obstruction, and infection (Meckel’sdiverticulitis).
fizkes / Getty Images
This article discusses Meckel’s diverticulum, including who it affects and what surgical treatment entails.
fizkes / Getty Images
What Causes Meckel’s Diverticulum?
No one knows why some people have Meckel’s diverticulum.
It is a condition present at birth, though it does not appear to run in families.
The pouch forms from a bang out of digestive system tissue that’s usually absorbed before birth.
It’s a remnant of the vitelline duct, which connects the intestines to the fetus’s umbilical cord.
Each pouch is called a diverticulum.Diverticulitisis an inflammation of a pouch.
Meckel’s diverticulum differs from other intestinal pouches because it is present at birth rather than developing later.
It can also cause diverticulitis, however, if it becomes inflamed.
Who Gets Meckel’s Diverticulum?
Anyone can be born with Meckel’s diverticulum.
It is seen in people of any sex.
It may also be linked to defects in the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
How Common Is Meckel’s Diverticulum?
Children
Infants and very young children with Meckel’s diverticulum are most likely to develop symptoms.
The acid can irritate the intestinal lining and form an ulcer.
Why Are People Often Asymptomatic?
Most people will not develop symptoms from Meckel’s diverticulum.
Any symptoms felt are due to complications.
However, these are not expected to occur.
Crohn’s disease can also cause rectal bleeding.
Peptic ulcer disease symptoms similar to Meckel’s diverticulum include abdominal pain and sometimes nausea and vomiting.
How Is Meckel’s Diverticulum Diagnosed?
If Meckel’s diverticulum is causing severe symptoms like hemorrhage or blockage, the pouch can be removed surgically.
Surgical Complications
Risks for surgery to remove diverticula are similar to those of other abdominal surgeries.
Risks include infection and internal scarring.
Summary
Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the digestive system.
If severe symptoms develop, surgery can remove the pouch.
Kuru S, Kismet K.Meckel’s diverticulum: clinical features, diagnosis and management.Rev Esp Enferm Dig.
2018;110(11):726-732. doi:10.17235/reed.2018.5628/2018
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Meckel’s diverticulum.
Celebi S.Male predominance in Meckels diverticulum: a hyperacidity hypotheses.Med Hypotheses.2017;104:54-57. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2017.05.014
Cincinnati Children’s.Meckel’s diverticulum.
2018;97(35):e12154.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of peptic ulcers.
