10 Fragile X Symptoms

By errol

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'What Is Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)?' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Oct. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fxs/facts.html
• 2. 'What Are the Symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome?' Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/fragilex/conditioninfo/commonsymptoms
• 3. 'Fragile X Syndrome: Symptoms and Causes: Boston Childrens Hospital.' Boston Childrens Hospital, www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/f/fragile-x-syndrome/symptoms-and-causes
• 4. 'Fragile X Syndrome: Diagnosis, Symptoms & Treatment.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5476-fragile-x-syndrome#symptoms-and-causes
• 5. 'Fragile X Syndrome.' NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders), 18 Sept. 2017, rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/fragile-x-syndrome/
• 6. Tranfaglia, Michael R. 'The Psychiatric Presentation of Fragile X: Evolution of the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Psychiatric Comorbidities of Fragile X Syndrome.' Developmental Neuroscience, Karger Publishers, 2 Sept. 2011, www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/329421

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Fragile X syndrome, or FXS, is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation on the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome. FXS is a common cause of inherited intellectual impairment and developmental delays. The disorder is also referred to as Martin-Bell syndrome.¹‘What Is Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)?’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Oct. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fxs/facts.html

Approximately one in 7,000 men and one in 11,000 women are affected by FXS. Individuals with fragile X syndrome may exhibit a wide range of behavioral, cognitive and physical symptoms. Some symptoms may improve with age while others may worsen. Women usually have milder symptoms because they have two X chromosomes, which means they also have two FMR1 genes.³‘Fragile X Syndrome: Symptoms and Causes: Boston Childrens Hospital.’ Boston Childrens Hospital, www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/f/fragile-x-syndrome/symptoms-and-causes

Intellectual Challenges

Children with fragile X syndrome may have mild-to-severe learning disabilities. They may struggle with mathematical skills, short-term memory recall, problem-solving and abstract thinking. Some are easily distracted and make impulsive decisions.¹‘What Is Fragile X Syndrome (FXS)?’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Oct. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fxs/facts.html

IQ scores of children with FXS tend to decline over time, and they can't keep up with their peers academically. Average IQ scores in the general population are around 100, while boys with FXS have average IQ scores under 55. Children and teenagers affected by FXS may be more successful as visual learners than auditory learners. They may grasp concepts represented by pictures and graphs more easily than spoken information or instructions.⁴‘Fragile X Syndrome: Diagnosis, Symptoms & Treatment.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5476-fragile-x-syndrome#symptoms-and-causes