Iron deficiency anaemia: an unusual complication of Meckel's diverticulum

Abstract

Objectives: To describe a case of Meckel's diverticulum with an unusual complication of iron deficiency anaemia due to chronic intestinal bleeding.

Clinical presentation and intervention: A 12-year-old boy presented with bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain in association with a long-standing history of black stools and progressive pallor. Biochemical tests revealed low serum iron (1.2 mmol/l) indicating iron deficiency anaemia and low serum albumin (29 g/l). The other tests were normal. Colonoscopy performed on the 8th day of hospitalization was normal. A technetium-99m pertechnetate scan showed an ectopic gastric mucosa in the Meckel's diverticulum confirmed at surgery in the region of the antimesentric border and on histopathology.

Conclusion: Findings indicated that the patient had a bleeding Meckel's diverticulum, complicated by iron deficiency anaemia.