Hemochromatosis Genetic Screening
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Hemochromatosis Genetic Screening
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What Causes Hereditary Hemochromatosis?
Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder. It is passed from a parent to a child (inherited). Most people who have hemochromatosis inherit defective genes from both parents. In rare cases, a person can have hemochromatosis by inheriting defective genes from just one parent.
A person who has inherited only one defective gene will most likely be a carrier of hemochromatosis and will not have the disease. A carrier can pass the defective gene on to his or her children.
- If only one parent is a carrier of a defective gene, the child will not have hemochromatosis. But there is a 50% chance that the child will be a carrier.
- If both parents are carriers, there is only a 25% chance that the child will have both defective genes and so will have a higher risk of getting hemochromatosis. But there is a 50% chance that the child will be a carrier.
Last Updated:
April 20, 2009- Author:
- Robin Parks, MS
- Medical Review:
- E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
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