HEALTH AWARENESS A Hormone-Related Condition Targets Young Girls

(NAPSI)-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 some of its complications can be treated. The syndrome occurs in about 1 in 2,000-2,500 female births worldwide. The reason for the missing or changed X chromosome appears to 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 problems like drooping eyelids or "lazy eye," curvature of the spine and a wide, short neck. Girls and women with TS may have other medical problems as 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; • what height their daughter is 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 hormone-related conditions in children--to develop a treatment plan that can help their child live a full life. To learn more, visit hormone.org.

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. Word Count: 361 Copy/Paste HTML Article