Turner Syndrome: A Genetic Defect

Turner Syndrome was first described by Dr. Henry Turner in 1938. He noticed some common physical features in some of his female patients. It wasn't until 1960 that a chromosomal abnormality was found in people with the physical features that Dr. Turner described. Turner Syndrome only affects females because a lone Y chromosome cannot survive but a single X chromosome can. Females with Turner Syndrome either have only one X chromosome or one of the X chromosomes …

…of invitro-fertilization. Also, while Turner Syndrome females are expected to have a normal IQ they often have learning disabilities, problems with mathematics, and spatial problems, and sometimes varying levels of mental retardation. Turner Syndrome affects all races, and regions of the world equally. People who have had several normal children may have a Turner Syndrome girl. And there are no known toxins that may increase a couple's chance of having a girl with Turner Syndrome.