Please note: This information was as current as we could make it on the date given above. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education Web site.

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An article on this topic is available in this issue of AFP.

Meckel's Diverticulum

What is Meckel's diverticulum?

Meckel's diverticulum (say: die-ver-tic-yu-lum) is a small pouch about the size of your thumb. The pouch is on the wall of the lower part of your small intestine (bowel). It's left over from a fetus' umbilical cord and intestines. It occurs in one out of 50 people.

What problems might Meckel's diverticulum produce?

Most people who have a Meckel's diverticulum have no problems. Only about one in 25 persons who are born with it have problems. These problems vary by age. In infants and children, the problem is usually bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes blood can be seen in the stool.

In adults, the intestine may become blocked. If this happens, the person may have stomach pain and vomiting. Other symptoms include fever, constipation and swelling of the stomach.

Should I be tested for this problem?

Currently, there is no safe, simple way to test for Meckel's diverticulum. Since most people who have Meckel's diverticulum don't have any problems, it is hard to detect. When Meckel's diverticulum does cause problems, it can usually be found by taking x-rays of the intestines.

How is Meckel's diverticulum treated?

People who have Meckel's diverticulum but are not having any problems are usually just observed. This varies with the person's age, and whether they are having other problems. Sometimes the doctor may want a patient to have surgery to remove the diverticulum, and then the intestine is repaired.

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This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.

Visit familydoctor.org for information on this and many other health-related topics.

Copyright © 2000 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Permission is granted to print and photocopy this material for nonprofit educational uses. Written permission is required for all other uses, including electronic uses.

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