Klinefelter's+Syndrome

Klinefelter's Syndrome **Overview:** Klinefelter’s Syndrome, also referred to as KS, is a genetic condition in which a male has an extra X chromosome when born. This chromosomal condition affects physical, as well as language and social development (1). This syndrome is not inherited but rather, a genetic error that occurs. Klinefelter’s Syndrome is a common condition usually diagnosed in adulthood (2). The greater the number of extra X chromosomes present, the greater impact.

**Signs and Symptoms:** Many men who have this syndrome don’t show the signs until they are older. KS males may be quiet or shy and may have trouble fitting in. Men who have this syndrome have enlarged breast tissue and have the same chance of getting breast cancer as women. Klinefelter’s makes the men who have the syndrome are unable to produce children. Because an extra X chromosome is present, men who have this disorder may have more feminine features as such as less facial and body hair, wider hips, narrower shoulders, and reduced sperm production (3).

**Genetics:** KS is a sex-linked syndrome for it only occurs if there is an extra X chromosome presenting: XXY. This only affects the male gender and is created when either the mom or the dad gives an extra X chromosome to their offspring. Since this is a sex-linked syndrome, the disorder is only present in the 23 chromosomes.

**Distribution:** Klinefelter syndrome is a chromosomal condition that affects male physical and cognitive development.(4) Males get affected by this disease because they have an X and Y sex chromosome. The disease is caused by an extra X chromosome.(5) The disease affects all types of ethnicities.

**Management and Treatment:** Klinefelter’s Syndrome does not have a cure yet there are many treatments for it. Some treatments that are available include breast tissue removal, testosterone replacement therapy, speech and physical therapy, fertility treatment, and phycological counseling (6). Because it is impossible to repair the sex chromosome these treatments are only options of men who have this syndrome.

**Miscellaneous:** As children, affected boys are often quieter, less assertive and more passive than other boys and more so than their siblings. Also, they may be slower to develop language, motor skills, and emotional maturity than their peers. This does not mean that they will not achieve these things, but will do so at a slower rate.


 * Society and Culture: **This disease does not make a guy any less male. Doctors say they can live a happy and healthy life if they do physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

**History:** In 1942, Dr. Harry Klinefelter first discovered Klinefelter Syndrome. By the late 1950's, researchers discovered that men with this group of symptoms had an extra sex chromosome, XXY instead of the usual male arrangement of XY.(7)

[|Klinefelter's] Syndrome website

(1) “Klinefelter's Syndrome.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Mar. 2018, medlineplus.gov/klinefelterssyndrome.html. (2) “Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 Oct. 2016) (3)“What Are Common Symptoms of Klinefelter Syndrome (KS)?” Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 Dec. 2016, www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/klinefelter/conditioninfo/symptoms. (4) “Klinefelter Syndrome - Genetics Home Reference.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/klinefelter-syndrome. (5) “Klinefelter Syndrome.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 Oct. 2016, [|www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/klinefelter-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353949]. (6) “Klinefelter Syndrome.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 Oct. 2016, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/klinefelter-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353954. (7) https://coc.unm.edu/common/manual/Klinefelter_Syndrome.pdf
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