Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital condition, when a baby is born with diverticulum in his/her intestines. Overall, diverticulum is a hollow structure which can develop in the body. In case of Meckel's diverticulum, it develops in the intestines already during prenatal development of a child. According to Healthline, children develop Meckel's diverticulum between the 5th and the 7th weeks of their development. Meckel's diverticulum mostly develops from the intestinal cells. If the diverticulum functions as a part of an intestine, a child may not have any symptoms at all and the intestine will function as it is supposed to as in such case the diverticulum will consist of the same cells as all the intestines consist of. In rare cases, which, according to Healthline happens only in 5% of all cases, the cells of Meckel's diverticulum may be pancreatic or stomach. In such case Meckel's diverticulum will be different from the rest of intestines and, subsequently, it will function in a different way.
As a result, there can be intestinal bleeding or blockage of one of the intestines, which are the most serious complications of Meckel's diverticulum. This condition can also lead to inflammation, which, in turn, can lead to such symptoms as general discomfort in abdominal area and also vomiting in some cases.
If Meckel's diverticulum manifests itself in any symptoms, this condition is usually diagnosed and treated by the time child is 10 years old. In some cases manifestation may begin only in adulthood and then symptoms may be so sporadic and inconsistent that it may take a long time to determine that a person has Meckel's diverticulum. Nonetheless, Meckel's diverticulum is almost never life-threatening and, upon finding this condition, it is easy to treat it.
Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed
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