A Hormone-Related Condition Targets Young Girls (NAPSA)—There’s hopeful news for parents whose daughter may have a genetic disorder that can affect her development. The disorder, called Turner syndrome (TS), occurs when a female infant is born with a missing or changed X chromosome. Since TS is a genetic disorder, there is no cure, but someof its complications can be treated. The syndromeoccursin about 1 in 2,000-2,500 female births worldwide. The reason for the missing or changed X chromosome appearsto be a random event. This means any girl could be born with TS, so parents should be aware of the condition and its symptoms. The features associated with TS can vary. The most common complications of TS are short stature and ovaries that don’t function normally. Other physical features may include eye problemslike drooping eyelids or “lazy eye,” curvature of the spine and a wide, short neck. Girls and women with TS may have other medical problemsas well, such as heart defects or diabetes. While physical features can be an indication, experts say the only reliable way to diagnose the condition is by a process called karyotype analysis. In this test, a blood sample is used to detect the missing or altered chromosome. If the syndrome is diagnosed, parents should discuss a number of issues with a doctor, including: the likelihood their daughter is infertile; Turner syndrome occurs when a female infant is born with a missing or changed X chromosome. Fortunately, hormone-based treatments can address the most common complications of TS. what height their daughteris likely to achieve without growth hormone treatment; which specialists, if any, should be involved in the child’s care; and which tests need to be done on a regular basis. To address the hormonal complications of TS, two treatment options are available: growth hormone therapy to increase height and hormone replacement therapy to regulate the reproductive system. The experts at The Hormone Foundation encourage parents to seek the help of a pediatric endocrinologist—an expert in hormonerelated conditions in children—to develop a treatment plan that can help their child live a full life. To learn more, visit hormone.org.
