What´s Fragile X Syndrome

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Fragile X syndrome is a sex-linked chromosomal abnormality that is more common in males than in females and is also less problematic of the majority of females. The presence of an abnormality in the X chromosome causes Fragile X syndrome. It becomes constricted and often breaks. There are some different outcomes that can occur within a person with fragile X syndrome. Mental retardation, learning disability, and anxiety can all be linked to fragile X syndrome. Many behavioral and cognitive problems occur as well. Fragile X syndrome is a lifelong condition, but treatments have been sought for the disorder and can better the lives of individuals who have it. The majority of individuals that have Fragile X syndrome can live a normal life span. Individuals with the disorder display some behavioral and physical features such as large ears, long and narrow faces, poor eye contact, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and about 1 in 3 males meet the criteria for autistic disorder (Hagerman, Berry Kravis & Kaufmann, 2009). Fragile X syndrome occurs nearly twice as much in males than in females. The disorder occurs in approximately one in four thousand births for males, and one in eight thousand births for females (“Fragile X Syndrome,” 2014). Males with the disorder will display mild to moderate intellectual disability the majority of the time, while the majority of females with the disorder will have a normal IQ, but may also still have behavioral and cognitive problems. It is thought that in females, the extra X chromosome negates the effect of the abnormal chromosome, which is why this abnormality is more common in males than in females(Hagerman, Berry Kravis & Kaufmann, 2009). This may also be why a female does not display as... ... middle of paper ... ...in diagnosing the behavioral problems an individual may have and can accurately prescribe a medication. Fragile X syndrome is a lifelong chromosomal disorder, but if treated early and correctly an individual can live a somewhat normal life span. Behavioral problems can try to be controlled by therapies and certain medication so that the patient can try to live a more comfortable lifestyle. Therapies and medication are used to maximize the individual’s intelligence early in life. Females and males experience different effects with this disorder and it is quite interesting to see why and how. Fragile X syndrome is inherited. Somebody can be a carrier of the gene and not actually be living with the disorder. Although, we have come a long way in the medical field, chromosomal disorders are tricky and I’m not too sure there will ever actually be a cure in our lifetime.

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