Health Center - Genetic Disorders
A hereditary condition is one that is genetically passed on from one or both biological parents, such as bleeding disorders. Are you concerned that a medical condition you have may be passed to your children? Do you wonder if you could develop a disease that your parents or siblings have? Learn more about common hereditary conditions, including symptoms, treatment options and expert advice.
Making Sure von Willebrand Disease Doesn't Hinder Me as a Mom or My Kids
by Kim Walsh-Ebsworth
I suffered the consequences of an undiagnosed bleeding disorder for many years, but I am grateful my children will not have to endure the same. While I did not learn I had von Willebrand disease (VWD), a hereditary bleeding disorder that causes blood to not clot properly, until I was 35, my diagnosis and successful treatment helped empower me to have my own children tested much younger than I was. All five of my children have VWD, but because of their early diagnosis, their childhood experiences have been vastly different than my own.
