Meckel's 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's diverticulum. In most cases, Meckel's
diverticula do not cause any problems. In a small number of
patients however, these diverticula can become infected
(diverticulitis) cause an obstruction of the instesitne, or cause
bleeding from the intestine. The most common symptom of Meckel's
diverticulitis is painless bleeding from the rectum. The stools may
contain fresh blood or may look black and tarry.
Review Date: 07/07/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of
Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San
Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
