Did you know that the XXY arrangement of chromosomes is the most common genetic abnormality among males? Researchers estimate that one out of every 500 male children may have an extra X chromosome. Are you now wondering if your adopted son might have a genetic defect? Many of these boys will grow to adulthood never suspecting that they have an extra chromosome. Most males with this XXY chromosome arrangement suffer no symptoms and grow to be completely normal adults. The only way one of these men could find out is to undergo genetic testing. Unfortunately, some of these men will develop symptoms, including physical and mental characteristics known as Klinefelter Syndrome.

If your adopted son has a family history of genetic defects, or his birthmother was over 35 at the time of his birth, you may want to consider genetic testing. That is if you begin to see any of the symptoms of Klinefelter syndrome. If you do not see any of the symptoms, then it may be irrelevant to you.

You may notice that your son’s testes are very small, perhaps the size of green peas. Other symptoms that you would notice at a young age are speech, language, and social skill delays and impairments. Treatment with early-on services is recommended as soon as you notice delays. As with most childhood problems, the earlier the intervention, the better the chances of overcoming the issues.

If you did not notice any symptoms during infancy or throughout the toddler years, then you may notice a little later. Boys with Klinefelter syndrome tend to be taller than siblings, parents, and peers. They have a rounded body shape and tend to be overweight. During puberty, these boys may develop breast that must be surgically removed.

Doctors treat boys with Klinefelter disorder during puberty with testosterone injections. Having these injections can promote strength, facial hair growth, and muscular development of his body. Otherwise, his body will develop with more of a feminine shape and he will not begin to grow facial hair during puberty like his peers.

If symptoms do not give it away at this time, he may find out when he decides to start a family. Most men with the Klinefelter syndrome are sterile.



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