Wilson Disease

Wilson disease is a rare inherited illness (passed from parent to child) that causes the body to take in extra amounts of copper. If both parents carry an abnormal gene for Wilson disease there is a 25 percent chance that each of their children will develop the disorder.

How This Hurts the Liver

Extra copper in the liver causes tissue damage, scarring and liver failure. Liver failure and damage to the brain and spinal cord are the most predominant, and the most dangerous, effects of the disorder.


The goals of treatment are to reduce the amount of copper in the tissues and to manage the symptoms of the disorder.

Lifelong treatment is required.