Klinefelter Syndrome is a condition that affects sex chromosomes in males only. It is one of the most common genetic disorders. KS was named after Dr. Harry Klinefelter who was the first person to report it’s symptoms in 1942.(7) Harry was a Endocrinologist from Baltimore working at the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Males with Klinefelter’s present with a variation of symptoms from babies to adults. Some symptoms are noticeable and some are unnoticeable. It is common that people with Klinefelter’s don’t get diagnosed until their teens or adults. This is because most symptoms can’t be seen until later in life when a male starts to develop more. It is rare for a baby to present with symptoms. They can start off by having …show more content…
It results when a boy is born with at least one or more extra X chromosomes. More than one extra is very rare.(3) The chromosomal change happens randomly during the process called Meiosis, the formation of new cells. The error is called a nondisjunction. The egg or sperm gains an extra copy of the X chromosome. If a male has more than one extra X chromosome, health problems can be at risk.(4) Half of the time, the extra X chromosome comes from the dad, not the mom.(5)
Scientists and researchers at Columbia University Medical Center are currently working on a new assessment tool to help pediatricians detect the physical traits of Klinefelter Syndrome. The tool could help pave the way for more inventions that prevent and treat physical, psychological, social, and cognitive symptoms and problems caused by Klinefelter’s.(5) Researchers everywhere are trying to find ways to reduce symptoms and make the life of people with Klinefelter’s better.
Klinefelter Syndrome does not affect a person’s lifespan. Every male diagnosed with Klinefelter’s is expected to grow up and live a perfectly normal life. Lifespan may only be affected due to complications caused by the disorder.
Even though Klinefelter’s is a very common disease, it goes undiagnosed in many males. Not very many people know about this disease. Other names for Klinefelter’s Syndrome include XXY Syndrome and XXY