Hemochromatosis Awareness Month

July is National Hemochromatosis Awareness Month, and since most parents, and many pediatricians, don't know about any of the signs, symptoms, or problems associated with hemochromatosis, it is a great time for everyone to learn more about it.

Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease that can be inherited from a child's parents, and which causes the child to absorb too much iron, leading to extra iron being stored in the child's liver, heart, pancreas, and other organs. And although this usually doesn't cause any symptoms in childhood, later in life it can cause them to have arthritis, heart problems, liver disease, diabetes, and many other medical problems.

Learn if your child is at risk for hemochromatosis, especially if any adult family members, including parents, aunts, and uncles, have already been diagnosed with hemochromatosis.