At what age is Meckel's diverticulum most commonly presented in children?

Prepare for the PLAB Pediatrics Exam with targeted quizzes. Enhance your knowledge with practice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Get ready to succeed!

Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital condition resulting from the incomplete obliteration of the omphalomesenteric duct. It is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract and can lead to complications such as bleeding, obstruction, or inflammation.

The most common age of presentation is generally around 2 years old. At this age, children may begin to show the clinical manifestations of Meckel's diverticulum, including abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or intestinal obstruction. These symptoms may arise due to the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa in the diverticulum or due to the diverticulum causing obstruction.

While Meckel's diverticulum can technically be present at earlier ages, the clinical signs and complications that lead to diagnosis tend to be most pronounced in toddlers around the age of 2. Understanding this age range is crucial for clinical awareness and timely diagnosis in pediatric practice.

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