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.
Top 10 facts about the world. Ileum inflammation can be caused by irritation to the intestinal wall, infection, problems with the immune system, malfunction of the digestive tract, or an obstruction. The medical term for ileum inflammation is ileitis.