Learn About Meckel's 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.
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 may include:
- Pain in the abdomen that can be mild or severe
- Blood in the stool
- Nausea and vomiting
Symptoms often occur during the first few years of life. However, they may not start until adulthood.
You may need surgery to remove the diverticulum if bleeding develops. 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,
Vipul Yagnik practices in Palanpur, India. Yagnik and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Meckel's Diverticulum. His top areas of expertise are Meckel's Diverticulum, Gastrointestinal Fistula, Intussusception in Children, Appendectomy, and Endoscopy.
Ying Huang practices in Minhang, China. Huang and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Meckel's Diverticulum. Her top areas of expertise are Meckel's Diverticulum, Viral Gastroenteritis, Diarrhea, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.
Ismael Guzman-Mora practices in Madrid, Spain. Guzman-Mora and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Meckel's Diverticulum. His top areas of expertise are Meckel's Diverticulum, Cholecystitis, Gallstones, Gallbladder Removal, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Most people recover fully from surgery and will not have the problem come back. Complications from the surgery are also unlikely.
Complications may include:
- Excess bleeding (hemorrhage) from the diverticulum
- Folding of the intestines (intussusception), a type of blockage
- Peritonitis
- Tear (perforation) of the bowel at the diverticulum
See your health care provider right away if your child passes blood or bloody stool or has ongoing abdominal pain.
Published Date: November 02, 2022
Published By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM. Intestinal duplications, Meckel diverticulum, and other remnants of the omphalomesenteric duct. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 357.