Klinefelter Syndrome Vs Turner Syndrome
Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.
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Both klinefelter syndrome and turner syndrome are chromosomal disorders affecting the X and Y chromosomes. These conditions affect people in different ways and lead to a variety of health problems.
Symptoms of both conditions range from mild to severe, and can have an impact on life expectancy. The majority of individuals with these conditions are healthy, but they can face some challenges later in their lives.
What is Klinefelter Syndrome?
Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition that affects boys and men. It is caused by an extra X chromosome. Normally, each person has 23 pairs of chromosomes inside their cells. These chromosomes give people sexual characteristics like breasts and a uterus, and they help to determine their height and body proportions.
When a boy is born with an extra X chromosome, it’s called a “chromosomal nondisjunction.” The extra X chromosome results from a random error during the formation of sperm or eggs, or it can occur after conception (infertility). It is rare for a baby to have this chromosomal defect, but it can happen in about 1 out of every 500-1,000 newborn males.
Most boys and men with this disorder have small testes that don’t produce enough of the hormone testosterone. They also have a low sperm count. This causes delays in puberty and can lead to problems with fertility, gynecomastia, and less facial and body hair growth.
As a result of these symptoms, some men may experience learning difficulties or social challenges. Some also have low self-esteem or depression.
Having this syndrome puts males at a higher risk for developing cancer later in life, especially breast cancer. It can also put them at risk for other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, varicose veins, and bone density issues.
Treatment for Klinefelter syndrome is usually started in childhood or adolescence. Typically, it involves a trial of testosterone replacement therapy to spur typical body changes. This can be helpful in reducing problems with body proportions and sperm production, but it won’t change the size of the testes or make the male more fertile.
Because the signs and symptoms of this condition are so varied, it’s important to have your doctor look for the cause early. He can do this by looking at a boy’s chromosomes using a blood test called a karyotype. He can also check for the syndrome prenatally by looking at the fluid surrounding the fetus or the tissue in the placenta.
Your doctor will take a detailed medical history from you and your son. He will also perform a physical exam to check his testes and body proportions. He will also ask about any learning or behavior problems. He will then do a chromosomal analysis to check for an extra X chromosome. If the chromosomal analysis shows an extra X chromosome, he’ll make a diagnosis.
Klinefelter Syndrome and Testosterone
Everyone is born with 23 pairs of chromosomes, which are inherited from both parents. These chromosomes include two sex chromosomes identified as X and Y. The X chromosome gives females sexual traits such as breasts and a uterus, while the Y chromosome gives males sexual traits like a penis and testicles.
Males with Klinefelter syndrome have unusually small testes and penis and reduced testosterone production. This causes them to have enlarged breast tissue (Gynecomastia) and a low or absent sperm count, which can lead to fertility problems.
Symptoms vary from one person to another. In mild cases, a person may not need treatment.
Diagnosis is made by a blood test called karyotyping that tests for an extra X chromosome, or a 47 chromosomes instead of 46. Karyotyping can be done in children or adults before they are born, or during pregnancy by looking at the fluid around the foetus (amniocentesis) or by examining the placental tissue of the mother during childbirth (chorionic villus sampling).
A doctor will refer you to an endocrinologist, a specialist who specializes in hormone conditions. The doctor will check your chromosomes and test your testosterone and gonadotrophin levels. They will also look at your bone health and other symptoms. The doctor will recommend treatment, if necessary. It is important to have your chromosomes checked regularly, especially before you have any medical procedures. If you have an extra X chromosome, it is recommended that you start treatment as early as possible, so your symptoms won’t get worse.
What is Turner Syndrome?
Turner syndrome occurs when one of the female baby's X chromosomes is missing or incomplete. This condition is most common in females, though it also can happen to males.
Most people have two sex chromosomes (X and Y). Each chromosome has a certain number of genes that are needed for normal development. The X chromosome is responsible for developing sexual organs, such as the uterus, penis and testicles.
The Y chromosome is responsible for developing the other parts of the body, including the bones. So, it's important that both chromosomes are present.
Some people have a condition called mosaicism, which means that some of their cells contain both X and Y chromosomes. In this case, they might not have symptoms of Turner syndrome, but it's still a good idea to check with your doctor if you have a family history of this disorder.
TS is diagnosed by looking at the baby's body proportions and doing a blood test to see if one of her X chromosomes is missing. The doctor will also do a complete heart evaluation and test for thyroid issues.
A girl with TS usually grows more slowly than other children and will not go through puberty normally. If she gets treatment for the condition early, growth hormone can help her grow to near-normal height.
Girls with TS also have problems with their heart and major blood vessels. Some also have high blood pressure and kidney problems.
Many women with TS also have low levels of the hormone estrogen, which can cause osteoporosis and lead to bone fractures.
They might also have diabetes, and are at higher risk for breast cancer.
Other medical problems that can occur in some people with TS include a heart murmur, narrowing of the aorta and abnormal kidneys. These medical problems can be treated with drugs or surgery.
In general, a child with Turner syndrome will receive medical care from a team that includes their pediatricians and other doctors. They may also work with a pediatric endocrinologist to monitor their health.
Testosterone and Turner Syndrome
Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes girls to be very short (short stature) and female hormones to not be produced properly. It can also lead to brittle bones and infertility.
Testosterone therapy may help reduce some symptoms of the condition. It can also improve muscle and bone growth, promote a deeper voice, and help boys grow facial and body hair.
Treatment of Turner syndrome varies according to the age and health of the person. Treatments are usually started in the child's early teen years.
Estrogen replacement and oestrogen-progesterone therapy are often recommended. Oestrogen is the female sex hormone that is needed for puberty and helps to prevent brittle bones (osteoporosis).
Oestrogen can be given through an injection daily or it can be used in cream form. Alternatively, it can be taken in tablets.
Women with Turner syndrome who were receiving estrogen replacement therapy had higher levels of certain sex hormones than those who did not receive it. These included 17b-estradiol and testosterone.
There was no significant difference in the level of progesterone, androstenedione, pregnenolone, and dihydrotestosterone between the two groups.
Cancer occurrence in Turner syndrome and other karyotypes
The risk of cancer is not higher in people with Turner syndrome than the general population. However, it is important to understand that people with Turner syndrome have a different pattern of cancer occurrence than the general population. The atypical sex chromosome pattern seen in the majority of people with Turner syndrome appears to increase the risk of some types of cancer.
Symptoms of Klinefelter Syndrome
Klinefelter syndrome is a chromosome disorder that affects about 1 in every 500 to 1,000 newborn boys. It occurs when one of a person's X chromosomes is not normal, usually because of an extra X in the mother's egg or father's sperm.
Symptoms of Klinefelter syndrome can be mild, or they may be severe. Some boys with the condition never have any symptoms at all and aren't even diagnosed until they reach puberty or adulthood.
Babies with the syndrome have weak muscles and low strength, which makes it hard for them to sit up, crawl, walk, or speak normally. They also have slow growth and small testes that produce a low amount of the hormone testosterone, which causes problems with sperm production and a boy's sexual development.
Some boys with Klinefelter syndrome are born with a smaller penis and/or undescended testes (cryptorchidism). Other physical characteristics of the condition include flat feet or an unusual fusion of certain bones in the forearms, and difficulties with "gross motor" function, which means the ability to move in all parts of your body.
Children with the syndrome have learning disabilities, and they often have trouble speaking or reading. They may also have difficulty with planning and completing tasks. They may have a poor memory, lack insight into their own thoughts and actions, and have difficulty learning from past mistakes.
Most people with Klinefelter syndrome are healthy, but they do have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer or systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic inflammatory disease. They also have an increased risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis later in life.
Treatment for Klinefelter syndrome includes a variety of medications, including birth control pills, testosterone replacement therapy, and other hormonal medicines to help with fertility. It can also include therapy to address the physical and intellectual symptoms of the disorder.
The most important part of treating a child with Klinefelter syndrome is to ensure that they are getting the right type of care and support. Early intervention, like special education services and therapy, can help children develop their skills and overcome the challenges of their condition.
Symptoms of Turner Syndrome
About 1 in every 2,500 girls is born with Turner syndrome. Often, this is the result of an X chromosomal defect that occurs during cell division early in pregnancy (called mosaic Turner syndrome, also called 45,X mosaicism). In rare cases, an X chromosomal defect may be inherited, meaning the mother or father had it and passed it on to their child.
One of the main symptoms of Turner syndrome is short stature, usually noticeable by age 5. Growth hormone shots, given a few times a week, can help people reach near-normal height.
In addition to short stature, some people with Turner syndrome have a variety of physical problems, including eye problems, scoliosis and drooping eyelids, or swollen hands or feet. They also may have low levels of estrogen, which can put them at risk for osteoporosis and fractures.
Another symptom is an unusually short neck or webbed neck. This type of scoliosis, also known as craniosynostosis, can occur in about 20% of people with Turner syndrome.
The condition can affect a person’s sexual development and learning abilities, too. In some girls with Turner syndrome, their ovaries are small and don’t develop until early adolescence, making it difficult to get pregnant. In others, their ovaries don’t develop at all.
Doctors often make a diagnosis of Turner syndrome by performing a karyotype test, or chromosomal analysis, on a girl’s blood. This type of test can detect extra or missing chromosomes, chromosomal rearrangements or chromosomal breaks.
Other medical tests for Turner syndrome include testing for heart and kidney abnormalities. Depending on what is found, some girls with TS may need surgery to correct these problems.
Getting tested and treated for these diseases is important to prevent further health problems. They can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and thyroid issues.
Typically, a person with Turner syndrome grows more slowly than other children during childhood and adolescence, resulting in an average adult height of 4 feet, 8 inches (if they get treatment early). They don’t go through puberty or make enough sex hormones to be fertile.
Conclusion
There are two different chromosomes in every human cell: the X chromosome and the Y chromosome. The combination of the X and Y chromosomes in an individual determines their biological sex.
Klinefelter Syndrome Vs Turner Syndrome
Both conditions occur when a person's sex chromosome is missing or not in the right place. In Klinefelter syndrome, a person has an extra X chromosome (called a chromosome non-disjunction).
It usually causes short stature and other physical problems. It also can cause mental health issues and heart problems.
In men, it can cause weak bones (osteopenia) and enlarged breasts. In women, it can cause infertility and insufficient production of the hormone estrogen.
Other symptoms include abnormally high blood pressure, a low hairline at the back of the neck, and a drooping eyelid. In some children and adults, it can also affect the growth of their fingers.
People with Klinefelter syndrome may have curved pinky fingers (fifth finger clinodactyly), or they might have flat feet, called pes planus. They may also have a radioulnar synostosis in their forearm, where the bones tuck together near the wrist.
In addition, they may have a small penis or testis and have more body hair than usual. Some individuals also have scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves sideways. This can affect the way they walk or ride a bike, and is more common in younger children. They may also have hearing loss, and some will have a small, narrow heart.
