Meckel diverticulum
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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.
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