Triple X syndrome is a rare genetic disorder observed in females. You can also call it trisomy X syndrome or 47, XXX. In this genetic condition, females are born with three copies of the same chromosome.
An ordinary human being is born with 46 chromosomes in all. The chromosomes are found in 23 pairs. The pairs are formed by one copy of each chromosome from the mother and the father.
The 23rd pair is regarded as the sex chromosomes. Females usually have two X chromosomes while males have two. The other chromosome in males is the Y chromosome.
Due to the Triple X syndrome, women are born with an extra X chromosome. It means that they have 47 chromosomes. Some women have three X chromosomes in their cells.
Some women with the Triple X syndrome have cells with three X chromosomes and some with two. This particular scenario is known as mosaicism. The degree of mosaicism or the number of cells with three X chromosomes can vary.
According to some sources, diagnosis of the condition takes place in only 10% of females. Dig deeper to find out about the effects of the condition in women.
Symptoms of Triple X Syndrome
A significant degree of variation can be observed in women's symptoms with this condition. Some might not experience any signs or might have such mild symptoms that they can't be spotted.
But some women have physical, psychological, or medical symptoms associated with the condition. Symptoms are primarily visible in women with a higher number of three X chromosome cells.
Physical Characteristics
Women with the condition are always taller than girls in the same age group. Some other physical features include the following:
- Hypertelorism or wide-spaced eyes
- Epicanthal folds or vertical skin folds covering the inner corners of the eyes
- Hypotonia or poor muscle tone
- Clinodactyly or bent little fingers
Medical Issues
Some medical issues observed in females with the Triple X syndrome are as follows:
- Seizures
- Abnormal heart structure
- Autoimmune conditions like hypothyroidism
- Genito-urinary malfunctions or deformities: The ovaries and kidneys might be ill-formed and function poorly.
- Premature ovarian failure or aging: The ovaries might fail or become dysfunctional early in life. It leads to fertility issues in women.
Psychological or Cognitive Issues
Some women with the condition can suffer from developmental delays or cognitive problems. The issues include:
- Learning disabilities
- Mood disorders: Women with the condition are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.
- Attention deficit disorder: Girls with the condition will face complications while concentrating at school.
- Developmental delays: Due to poor muscle tone or muscle weakness, women with the genetic disorder often take an unusually long time to develop motor skills like walking.
- Mild intellectual or cognitive impairment: IQ is usually in the normal range. But when compared with siblings, their IQ can be typically 10 to 15 points lower.
- Social problems: Girls with this rare genetic disorder often struggle with social interactions and communication. They often show signs of low self-esteem.
Wrapping up
Medical science hasn't advanced to the stage where it can find ways to prevent the Triple X syndrome. But early diagnosis has the potential to avoid developmental delays.
Psychological counseling can be highly beneficial for curing depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Fertility or sexual issues are rare side-effects of this genetic disorder.
The symptoms vary according to each patient. Therefore, women with the condition should undergo an in-depth evaluation to understand their needs.
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