Meckel's diverticulum epidemiology and demographics

Meckel’s diverticulum is present in approximately 2% of the population, as per the “Rule of 2s”. This rule applies to patients with Meckel’s diverticulum and states that it affects approximately 2 percent of the population with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. It is mostly located about two feet proximal to the ileocecal valve, is approximately two inches in length, and in majority of cases, affects age group <2yrs. In addition, the two most common types of ectopic mucosa found within the diverticulum are the gastric and pancreatic types. Increased prevalence of Meckel’s diverticulum is seen in children with umbilical malformations, gastrointestinal tract, neurological and cardiovascular defects.

• The prevalence of Meckel’s diverticulum is approximately two percent of the general population.^[1]
• Complications due to Meckel’s diverticulum are only seen in about 5% of affected patients.^[2][3]
• Increased prevalence of Meckel’s diverticulum is seen in children with: ^[4]
  • Umbilical malformations
  • Gastrointestinal tract defects
  • Neurological and cardiovascular defects
• In children with Meckel’s diverticulum:^[5]
  • 60% of cases: symptomatic
  • 40% of cases: incidental
  • Most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract
  • No genetic component
• Rule of 2s applies to Meckel’s diverticulum:^[6]
  • Affects approximately 2 percent of the population
  • Male-to-female ratio of 2:1
  • Located about two feet proximal to the ileocecal valve
  • Two inches in length
  • Mostly affects age group <2yrs
  • Two types of mucosa mostly: gastric more common than pancreatic

• Patients of all age groups may develop Meckel’s diverticulum.
• The incidence of Meckel’s diverticulum decreases with age.
• Meckel’s diverticulum commonly affects individuals younger than two years of age, with more than thirty percent of cases being younger than 1 year.^[7]
• The most common symptom in children is obstruction and lower GI bleeding, while the most common presentation in adults is obstruction.^[6]
• Common presentation in children:^{[6][8][9][10]}
  • 30%: Obstruction
  • 27%: Bleeding
  • 19%: Intussusception
• Common presentation in the neonatal period:
  • 58.3%: Bowel obstruction
  • 33.3%: Pneumoperitoneum
• Common manifestations in adults:^[6][11]
  • Obstruction
  • Inflammation
  • Lower GI bleeding

• The racial predilection to Meckel’s diverticulum is as follows:
  • 63.4% white
  • 16.4% Hispanic
  • 4.7% African-American
  • 3.9% Asian
  • 11.6% other

• Males are more commonly affected by Meckel’s diverticulum than females. The male to female ratio is approximately 2 to 1.
• The male to female ratio for development of complications in affected cases is 3:1.

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