children s health issues
Meckel Diverticulum
Introduction
A Meckel diverticulum is a saclike outpouching of the wall of the small intestine that is present in some children at birth. Most children do not have symptoms, but sometimes painless rectal bleeding occurs or the diverticulum becomes infected. Doctors base the diagnosis on symptoms, the results of a Meckel scan, and sometimes other imaging tests. A bleeding diverticulum or one that causes symptoms must be surgically removed. About 2% of infants are born with a Meckel diverticulum. 