During pregnancy, the umbilical cord passes through a small opening in the baby's abdominal muscles. The opening normally closes just after birth. If the muscles don't join together completely in the midline of the abdomen, this weakness in the abdominal wall may cause an umbilical hernia at birth or later in life.
Ileus may also be caused by an infection inside the abdomen, such as appendicitis or diverticulitis. Disorders outside the intestine, such as kidney failure, an underactive thyroid gland, or abnormal levels of blood electrolytes (low potassium levels or high calcium levels, for example), may cause ileus.
Ileus is a partial or complete non-mechanical blockage of the small and/or large intestine. Ileus is a functional rather than mechanical obstruction of the bowel. It is a lack of propulsive peristalsis (wave-like movement) of the bowel. It stops the movement of bowel contents downward. There is abdominal distention and an absence of bowel sounds.