Your Health - Klinefelter Syndrome

Klinefelter Syndrome

(47 XXY Syndrome; KS)

Definition

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) occurs in some men who have more than one X chromosome (XXY).

Klinefelter's Syndrome

Causes

Males usually inherit a single X chromosome from their mother and a single Y chromosome from their father. Males with KS get at least one extra X chromosome.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of KS. Women over age 35 have a slightly increased chance of having a child with KS. There are no other known risk factors for this disorder.

Symptoms

XXY occurs in approximately 1 out of 1,000 live male births, but many men with it do not develop KS. When KS does develop, it usually goes undetected until puberty or sometimes much later.

Characteristics may include:

For babies:
- Smaller birth weight and slower muscle and motor development
For children and adults:
- Tallness with extra long arms and legs
- Abnormal body proportions (long legs, short trunk)
- Enlarged breasts (common)
- Lack of facial and body hair
- Small firm testes, small penis
- Lack of ability to produce sperm (common)
- Diminished sex drive, sexual dysfunction
- Social and learning disabilities (common)
- Personality impairment
- Normal to borderline IQ
- Speech and language problems—Children with KS often learn to speak later than other children. They may have a difficult time reading and writing.

Men with KS have an increased risk of:

Diabetes
Breast cancer
Lung cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Lung disease
Osteoporosis

Diagnosis

A test called a karyotype is used to diagnose KS. In the case of KS, there are usually 47 chromosomes rather than the normal 46.

Many men with XXY do not know they have the condition. The diagnosis may be found:

When amniocentesis is done
In babies— undescended testes or very small penis
In children—when the child is having problems learning
In adolescents—when the child has excessive breast development
In adults—when the man has fertility concerns

Treatment

Treatment of KS includes:

Testosterone

The main treatment is testosterone . When boys with KS are 10-12 years old, their hormone levels are checked yearly. If testosterone levels are low, then treatment may be helpful. Men diagnosed may also benefit from taking the hormone. However, testosterone cannot reverse infertility.

Testosterone is most often given through regular shots. The benefits include:

Increased strength
More muscular, male appearance
Growth of facial and body hair
Better self-esteem
Modulation of mood
Increased energy
Increased ability to concentrate
Greater sex drive

Speech and Language Therapy

This therapy should begin in early childhood to avoid social and school learning problems. Treatment may involve:

Speech therapy
Special education services
Extra support and help with learning from parents and teachers
Social skills training and psychological counseling

Prevention

Currently, there are no known ways of preventing KS.

RESOURCES:

Klinefelter Syndrome and Associates
http://www.genetic.org/

National Institute of Child Health & Human Development
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org/

Canadian Psychological Association
http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/home.asp/

References:

Klinefelter syndrome. Klinefelter Syndrome and Associates website. Available at: http://www.genetic.org/knowledge/support/action/199/#Brief%20Introduction%20to%20Klinefelter%20syndrome . Updated February 2007. Accessed July 22, 2008.

Larsen PR. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2003.

Understanding Klinefelter syndrome. National Institute of Child Health & Human Development website. Available at: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/klinefelter.cfm . Updated August 2006. Accessed July 22, 2008.

Last reviewed September 2009 by J. Thomas Megerian, MD, PhD, FAAP

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.