Klinefelter syndrome (47,xxy)

[Merna]

Klinefelter syndrome is the presence of two or more X chromosomes plus one Y, resulting in a phenotypic male. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and is confirmed by cytogenetic analysis. Treatment may include testosterone supplementation.
(See also Overview of Chromosomal Anomalies.)
Klinefelter syndrome is the most common sex chromosome disorder, occurring in about 1/500 live male births. The extra X chromosomes are maternally derived in 60% of cases. Germ cells do not survive in the testes, leading to decreased sperm and androgens.
Affected boys tend to be tall with disproportionately long arms and legs. They often have small, firm testes, and about 30% develop gynecomastia.
Puberty usually occurs at the normal age, but often facial hair growth is light. There is a predisposition for verbal learning disorders. Clinical variation is great, and many 47,XXY males have normal appearance and intellect. Testicular development varies from hyalinized nonfunctional tubules to some production of spermatozoa; urinary excretion of follicle-stimulating hormone is frequently increased.
Mosaicism occurs in about 15% of cases. Males with a normal male karyotype (XY) in some cells may be fertile and have less obvious malformations. Some affected men have 3, 4, and even 5 X chromosomes along with the Y. As the number of X chromosomes increases, the severity of intellectual disability and of malformations also increases. Each extra X is associated with a 15- to 16-point reduction in IQ, with language most affected, particularly expressive language skills.