TURNER SYNDROME

TYPES

Turner syndrome may have three types:

Prior to birth

• A large fluid collectionat the back of the neck or swelling (edema)
• Heart defects
• Abnormal kidneys

At birth or infancy

• Wide or web-likeneck
• Low-set ears
• Broad chest with isolated areolas
• Highand narrow palate
• Arms that turn outward at the elbows

In childhood, adolescence and adulthood

• Slowed growth
• Adult height is not normal for females in her family
• Failure to have sexual development

SYMPTOMS

For some young girls, the symptoms of Turner issue may not be instantly apparent, while in other girls, various physical features and poor growth are seen early. Signs and symptoms can be vague, developing gradually after some time, or seriously, as in heart defects.

DIAGNOSIS

If based on a medical history and a physical exam, the doctor presumes that your child has Turner syndrome, a lab test will be done to analyze your child’s chromosomes. The test will include a blood test.

Prenatal diagnosis

An examination may be made during pregnancy. Certain features on ultrasound may bring up a diagnosis or Turner syndrome or another inherited condition.

• Chorionic villus examination. This involves taking a sample of tissue from the placenta.
• In this test, a sample of the amniotic fluid is taken from the uterus.

TREATMENT

The essential treatments for females with Turner syndrome include hormone medicines:

Growth hormone. For most females, growth hormone treatment is recommended to increase height in early childhood until the early teens.

Estrogen treatment. Most females with Turner syndrome need to start estrogen and other hormone treatments to start puberty. Estrogen treatment is usually started around age 11 or 12 years.