What Is Turner's Syndrome
Biol 1111
Final Exam Extra Credit
Turner’s Syndrome
Turner’s syndrome is a genetic condition in which a female does not have the usual pair of two X chromosomes. This medical disorder affects about 1 in every 2,500 girls. I do not know exactly what causes Turner syndrome, but researchers know that it is the result of a problem with a girl 's chromosomes either not being there at all or only part of it is still there. I think the most known effects of the condition vary widely with girls with Turner syndrome. It all depends on how many of the bar body cells are affected by the changes on the X chromosome. I have learned that girls with this syndrome are usually short in height and are sterile meaning they cannot have children. Girls with Turner syndrome who are not treated for short stature reach an average height of about 4 feet 7 inches. The good news I found is that when Turner syndrome is diagnosed while a girl is still growing, she can be treated with growth hormones to help her grow taller. Turner syndrome can be diagnosed at any stage of life. It may be diagnosed before birth if chromosome analysis is done during prenatal testing. The doctor will perform a physical exam and look for signs of under development. The following are some test that I found may be done to depict Turner’s syndrome; Blood hormone levels (like estrogen), Echocardiogram (which uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart), Karyotyping (Look for structural changes in chromosomes), MRI of the chest (uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the thoracic area), Ultrasound of reproductive organs and kidneys (use of high-frequency sound waves to create images of organs and systems within the body), or a Pelvic exam. Possible symptoms in young infants include swollen hands and/or feet and a wide webbed neck. Possible symptoms in older females include an absent or incomplete development at puberty (including sparse pubic hair and small
Final Exam Extra Credit
Turner’s Syndrome
Turner’s syndrome is a genetic condition in which a female does not have the usual pair of two X chromosomes. This medical disorder affects about 1 in every 2,500 girls. I do not know exactly what causes Turner syndrome, but researchers know that it is the result of a problem with a girl 's chromosomes either not being there at all or only part of it is still there. I think the most known effects of the condition vary widely with girls with Turner syndrome. It all depends on how many of the bar body cells are affected by the changes on the X chromosome. I have learned that girls with this syndrome are usually short in height and are sterile meaning they cannot have children. Girls with Turner syndrome who are not treated for short stature reach an average height of about 4 feet 7 inches. The good news I found is that when Turner syndrome is diagnosed while a girl is still growing, she can be treated with growth hormones to help her grow taller. Turner syndrome can be diagnosed at any stage of life. It may be diagnosed before birth if chromosome analysis is done during prenatal testing. The doctor will perform a physical exam and look for signs of under development. The following are some test that I found may be done to depict Turner’s syndrome; Blood hormone levels (like estrogen), Echocardiogram (which uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart), Karyotyping (Look for structural changes in chromosomes), MRI of the chest (uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the thoracic area), Ultrasound of reproductive organs and kidneys (use of high-frequency sound waves to create images of organs and systems within the body), or a Pelvic exam. Possible symptoms in young infants include swollen hands and/or feet and a wide webbed neck. Possible symptoms in older females include an absent or incomplete development at puberty (including sparse pubic hair and small
Cited: 1. Morgan T. Turner syndrome: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76:405-410. [PubMed] 2. Genetic Science Learning Center. "Turner Syndrome." Learn.Genetics 5 May 2011 <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/whataregd/turner/> 3. Hughes JP, Benirschke K, Kennedy PC, Smith AT: Gonadal dysgenesis in the mare. J Reprod Fertil Suppl 23:385-390, 1975.