Is crohn's disease hereditary?

[228Alicia]

Is crohn's disease hereditary?  My grandson’s Dad has crohn's.  My grandson is only 3 years old.  He suffers with severe diarrhea frequently.  Should we be concerned at 3?

[Laurann79]

Chrons genetic component - My mother-in law, my husband and 2 of our teenage children have Chrons.  My mother-in-laws family (her dad and grandparents) came to the US on the eve of WWI from Czechoslovakia, near Prague.  They were not Jewish.  Yes there is a genetic component.  At least there is in our immediate family - 3 generations in a row - 4 members.

[roro_cash]

there is no proof that crohns is hereditary. they believe it may be. i have crohns and i also have a 3 year old who suffers from diarrhea from time to time. i asked my doctor if he could have crohns and he told me it is extremely rare for children this young to  be diagnosed with crohns, its usually diagnosed in adolescents to 20's

[e.r.boy]

Looks like it is. They have found up to 32 different gene site abnormalities in people with crohn's. I've opted not to have children. I would feel very guilty if I passed this terrible condition onto someone else. Especially because the treatment is very hit and miss.(still)