Case Report: Complicated Meckel‘s diverticulum masquerading as gastroenteritis: a near-fatal presentation in a toddler

Category	Detail
Condition	Meckel's diverticulum
Key Mechanisms	Congenital gastrointestinal anomaly leading to complications such as obstruction and strangulation.
Target Population	Children, particularly those under 5 years of age.
Care Setting	Emergency and surgical care.

Meckel's diverticulum can mimic gastroenteritis, leading to diagnostic challenges.
Rapid clinical deterioration can occur within hours, necessitating urgent surgical evaluation.
Key indicators of surgical pathology include systemic toxicity, metabolic acidosis, and abdominal distension.
Timely surgical intervention and advanced critical care support are crucial for recovery.
Bedside ultrasound may not reliably identify surgical causes of abdominal pain in early disease stages.

Consider CT imaging for definitive diagnosis in suspected complicated Meckel's diverticulum.

Immediate surgical consultation for patients exhibiting rapid clinical deterioration.

Continuous monitoring of vital signs and laboratory parameters in cases of suspected bowel obstruction.

Delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications such as bowel strangulation and septic shock.

Previously healthy children presenting with abdominal pain and vomiting.

Management may require invasive interventions, including mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapy.

Recognize red flags for surgical pathology in pediatric patients.
Utilize advanced imaging techniques when initial assessments are inconclusive.
Implement comprehensive critical care strategies for managing septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction.

Clinical Scorecard: Case Study: Complex Meckel's Diverticulum Presenting as Gastroenteritis in a Toddler with Critical Outcomes