Our Turner syndrome Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Turner syndrome

Definition of Turner syndrome

Turner syndrome: A chromosome disorder in females that is characterized by the absence of all or part of a second sex chromosome in some or all cells. The condition occurs in 1 in 2,500 to 3,000 girls born.

The physical features often include webbing of the neck (due to congenital lymphedema), short stature, delayed growth of the skeleton, shortened fourth and fifth fingers, broad chest, cardivascular abnormalities, and gonadal dysgeneesis. Women with Turner syndrome are usually infertile due to ovarian failure.

The clinical diagnosis is confirmed by a chromosome study including a href="/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4085">karyotypes of cells from a sample of blood. About half of cases are due to monosomy X (45,X) while up to a tenth have an isochromosome of the long (q) arm of one X (46,X,i(Xq)). Most of the remaining cases have mosaicism with two or more cell lines usually including a line with 45,X.

Treatment may include human growth hormone and estrogen replacement therapy.

Common Misspellings: turner syndrone

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Ultrasound - Learn an ultrasound procedure, and conditions and diseases it assists in diagnosing and screening like tumors, cysts, heart conditions and more.
• Diabetes - Learn about type 1 and 2 diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) symptoms including increased urination, thirst, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin infections, and blurred vision. Causes and diagnosis information is provided in the information.
• Hormone Therapy - Hormone Therapy (HT), can ease the symptoms of menopause and protect against osteoporosis.

Read more Turner Syndrome related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Boomers Doomed to Disability?
• Gender Divorce Gap After Illness Strikes
• Cigarette Smoking's Decline Levels Off
• 22 Million Cases of Swine Flu in U.S.