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 - blockage of the intestine (especially the ileum) that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing to the lower bowel. intestinal obstruction. enteropathy - a disease of the intestinal tract. blockage, obstruction - the physical condition of blocking or filling a passage with an obstruction. Translations.