# Severe Rectal Hemorrhage in Adolescents: An Unusual Presentation of Meckel’s Diverticulum

**Authors:** Bayan Matarneh, Elizabeth Washnock-Schmid, Andrea Bedway

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.84601 · Cureus · 2025-05-22

## TL;DR

A 15-year-old boy with severe rectal bleeding was found to have a rare condition called Meckel’s diverticulum, highlighting the need for broad differential diagnosis in such cases.

## Contribution

The paper presents a rare case of Meckel’s diverticulum in an adolescent, expanding the understanding of its presentation in older children.

## Key findings

- Severe rectal hemorrhage in adolescents can be caused by Meckel’s diverticulum.
- Imaging and investigation are crucial for diagnosing rare causes of gastrointestinal bleeding in children.

## Abstract

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding in children can be a significant cause of distress and can potentially lead to morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a 15-year-old boy who presented with severe rectal bleeding and required multiple blood transfusions. Further investigation and imaging revealed a Meckel’s diverticulum, which is uncommon in this age group, emphasizing the importance of expanding differential diagnosis when confronted with challenging cases.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Meckel’s diverticulum (MONDO:0007955)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** gastrointestinal bleeding (MESH:D006471), Meckel's Diverticulum (MESH:D008467), Rectal Hemorrhage (MESH:D012002)

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

9 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12181809/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12181809