Klinefelter Syndrome

Most boys with Klinefelter syndrome have normal or slightly decreased intelligence. Many have speech and reading disabilities and difficulties with planning. Most have problems with language skills. Lack of insight, poor judgment, and impaired ability to learn from previous mistakes often cause these children to get into trouble. Although their physical characteristics can vary greatly, most are tall with long arms and legs. They may also have wider hips but otherwise have a relatively normal appearance.

Puberty usually occurs at the normal time, but the testes remain small. At puberty, growth of facial hair is often sparse, and the breasts may enlarge somewhat (gynecomastia Breast enlargement in men Breast disorders occur infrequently in men. Breast disorders include Breast enlargement Breast cancer Breast enlargement in males is called either gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia. Gynecomastia... read more ). Males with the syndrome are often infertile, but sometimes the testes develop enough to produce sperm. Men with Klinefelter syndrome tend to develop diabetes mellitus Complications of Diabetes Mellitus People with diabetes mellitus have many serious long-term complications that affect many areas of the body, particularly the blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. (See also Diabetes Mellitus... read more , chronic lung disease, varicose veins Varicose Veins Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged superficial veins in the legs. Varicose veins may cause your legs to ache, itch, and feel tired. Doctors can detect varicose veins by examining the skin... read more , hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is underactivity of the thyroid gland that leads to inadequate production of thyroid hormones and a slowing of vital body functions. Facial expressions become dull, the voice... read more , and breast cancer Breast cancer in men Breast disorders occur infrequently in men. Breast disorders include Breast enlargement Breast cancer Breast enlargement in males is called either gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia. Gynecomastia... read more more often than other men.

Some affected boys have 3, 4, and even 5 X chromosomes along with the Y. As the number of X chromosomes increases, the severity of intellectual disability and physical abnormalities also increases. Each extra X is associated with a 15- to 16-point reduction in intelligence quotient (IQ), with language most affected, particularly expressive language skills.

Before birth, Klinefelter syndrome is usually only diagnosed incidentally when genetic testing is done for another reason. For example, amniocentesis Amniocentesis Prenatal diagnostic testing involves testing the fetus before birth (prenatally) to determine whether the fetus has certain abnormalities, including certain hereditary or spontaneous genetic... read more or chorionic villus sampling Chorionic Villus Sampling Prenatal diagnostic testing involves testing the fetus before birth (prenatally) to determine whether the fetus has certain abnormalities, including certain hereditary or spontaneous genetic... read more may have been done to obtain cells from the fetus for chromosome analysis if the mother was 35 years or older when pregnant. (See also Next-generation sequencing technologies Next-generation sequencing technologies Genetic diagnostic technologies are scientific methods that are used to understand and evaluate an organism's genes. (See also Genes and Chromosomes.) Genes are segments of deoxyribonucleic... read more .)

After birth, the syndrome is usually first suspected at puberty, when most of the symptoms develop. Analysis of the chromosomes using a blood test confirms the diagnosis of Klinefelter syndrome. However, many men are diagnosed only during an infertility assessment.

Boys with Klinefelter syndrome usually benefit from speech and language therapy and eventually can do well in school.

Males with Klinefelter syndrome may require supplemental testosterone beginning at puberty. The hormone improves bone density, making fractures less likely, and stimulates development of a more masculine appearance. Hormone replacement therapy may help lessen some behavior and developmental problems.

More recently, fertility preservation counseling has become an important part of the care of adolescents with Klinefelter syndrome. Obtaining and preserving sperm cells from males who produce them can give them the opportunity to father biological children.