Pediatric diverticulitis

What is pediatric diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis happens when small pouches (called diverticula) in the digestive tract become infected or inflamed. Usually, these swollen diverticula occur in the wall of the colon (large intestine), but they can form elsewhere in the digestive tract, too. Sometimes, these pouches can develop without becoming infected or inflamed. This is called diverticulosis

Some children can develop diverticulosis, but diverticulitis is very rare in children. Diverticula develop more often in people over age 50 and usually don’t cause problems unless they become inflamed.

However, if your child is showing signs of having diverticulitis, it’s important to have them see an experienced gastroenterologist, like those at Children's Health℠. Our team has the expertise to confirm an accurate diagnosis and provide the proper treatment for your child.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric diverticulitis?

Symptoms of diverticulitis include:

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation 

• Diarrhea

• Fever

• Blood in stools

• Nausea and vomiting

How is pediatric diverticulitis diagnosed?

At Children’s Health, our pediatric gastroenterologists begin your child’s evaluation with a physical exam. We also ask you about your child’s personal and family medical history.

We usually need to run tests to confirm a diverticulitis diagnosis. Depending on your child’s symptoms, they may need one or more tests, such as:

• Barium enema. This test involves injecting a contrast medium, called barium, into the rectum (end of the colon) to make the large intestine more visible on imaging, such as X-rays.

• Colonoscopy. In this procedure, our doctors insert a scope (thin, flexible tube with a small camera) into the colon to view inside the large intestine

• Imaging. We take images of the inside of your child’s lower abdomen to look for signs of diverticulitis. Some types of imaging we use to diagnose pediatric diverticulitis include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

What causes pediatric diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis can be hereditary (meaning, passed down in families) but not contagious. Doctors don’t yet know exactly why diverticula become inflamed in some children.

However, certain factors can increase your child’s risk of diverticulosis:

• Diet that is high in animal fat and low in fiber

• Lack of physical activity

• Certain health conditions, like Williams syndrome

How is pediatric diverticulitis treated?

The experienced pediatric GI specialists at Children’s Health develop a personalized treatment plan for your child. Diverticulitis treatment options depend on how severe your child’s symptoms are.

If your child has no or mild symptoms of diverticulitis, treatments may include:

• Liquid diet for a few days

• Medications, such as antidiarrheals and laxatives, to relieve digestive symptoms

• Antibiotics given by mouth, if needed for infection

For severe symptoms, your child may need to go to the hospital for treatment, which may include:

• Liquid diet

• Antibiotics and fluids given by intravenous (IV, through a vein) line

• Surgery, if needed, to remove the affected section of intestine

Diverticulitis complications in children

Infection that occurs with diverticulitis in children can sometimes lead to complications, which may include:

• Blockage. An infection can cause scarring in the intestine, which narrows or blocks contents from passing through.

• Fistula. An abnormal passageway can form between sections of the intestine or between the intestine and other organs, such as the bladder or vagina.

• Peritonitis. An abdominal infection can occur if the infected or inflamed pouch ruptures, spilling intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity. Peritonitis is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.