Triple X is a chromosomal abnormality that affects approximately 1 in 1,000 women and girls. Normally, a female has two X chromosomes, one from her father and one from her mother. A female with triple X syndrome has three X chromosomes.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 5-10 girls with triple X syndrome are born in the United States each day.
The syndrome generally results from a mistake in the formation of the father’s sperm cell or the mother’s egg. Sometimes, triple X syndrome occurs when something goes wrong in the development of the embryo.
Fast facts on triple X syndrome:
- Triple X syndrome is also known as Trisomy X, 47 XXX, Triplo-X, and XXX syndrome.
- It is not an inherited condition; in other words, it is not passed on from parent to child.
- It is caused by a random genetic error.
In all-female cells, only one X chromosome is active at any time. Because of this, triple X syndrome does not usually cause unusual physical features or medical problems.
Some people have no symptoms at all, but some may have mild or severe symptoms. Symptoms vary from one person to another.
If signs or symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Slightly taller stature.
- Slightly smaller head.
- A vertical fold of skin that comes down across the inner angle of the eye.
- Abnormally curved pinky fingers.
- Developmental issues such as delayed language skills and delayed motor skills, which can result in poor coordination, awkwardness, and clumsiness.
- Behavioral and emotional difficulties.
More rare symptoms include:
- seizures
- kidney problems
- abnormalities of the ovaries
- late or early puberty
- flat feet
- abnormal breast bone
- abdominal pains
- constipation
- heart abnormalities
- susceptibility to urinary tract infections
Most girls and women with the syndrome have normal sexual development and can conceive children. Very rarely, reproductive issues can arise, including menstrual irregularities, early menstruation, and, occasionally, infertility.
A person with triple X syndrome does not normally look different from people without the syndrome. Many medical professionals do not regard the condition as a disability.
Everything that lives has genes. Genes are a set of instructions that decide what the organism is like, how it survives, and how it behaves in its environment. Genes occur in long strands of DNA called chromosomes. Chromosomes are found in virtually all the cells of the body. Genes decide whether a person will be male or female, tall or short, and what color their hair and skin will be. They also affect the risk of developing certain diseases, and how an individual responds to environmental triggers.
Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, or a total of 46. A donkey has 31 pairs of chromosomes, a hedgehog has 44, and a fruit fly has just 4.
One of these 23 chromosome pairs in a human determines whether the person will be a man or a woman. Each person receives one sex chromosome from their mother and one from their father.
Females have an XX pair, so a mother can only pass on an X chromosome. Males have an XY pair, so a father can pass on either an X or a Y chromosome.
If a fetus receives an X chromosome from the father, she will be female, because the mother will pass on an X chromosome. This will give her an XX chromosome pair.
If the father passes on a Y chromosome, the offspring will have an XY chromosome pair, making him a male. Individuals with triple X syndrome have an extra X chromosome, as well as the XX pair. In other words, they are females (XX) with an extra X chromosome (XXX).
Reasons why this might occur are:
- The mother’s egg was not formed properly, known as nondisjunction – all cells will be XXX.
- The father’s sperm was not formed properly, also called nondisjunction – all cells will be XXX.
- A problem occurred while the embryo was developing. This is referred to as a mosaic form – not all cells will be XXX.
Triple X syndrome is not an inherited condition.
If the syndrome is caused by a badly formed egg or sperm, every cell in the body has the extra chromosome. In the mosaic form of triple X syndrome, only a certain number of body cells have the extra chromosome. Symptoms will depend partly on how many body cells have the extra X chromosome.
Most cases of triple X syndrome are caused by a malformed egg or sperm. Triple X syndrome is sometimes called 47 XXX syndrome because the extra chromosome gives the person 47 chromosomes, instead of the usual 46.
Triple X syndrome can be diagnosed before the baby is born, through chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, and a blood test after she is born.
CVS – tissue is taken from the placenta for examination, usually between the 8th and 10th week of pregnancy if the mother opts for it. This test is done to diagnose severe abnormalities that may be affecting the fetus; it is not specifically to diagnose triple X syndrome, but this will also be picked up.
Amniocentesis – this may also be done during pregnancy. Some amniotic fluid is collected and analyzed.
Blood tests may be used for chromosome analysis after birth if the doctor notices unusual physical features or delays in development.
All three tests examine the person’s collection of chromosomes, known as the karyotype.
There is no routine screening for triple X syndrome. If an embryo or fetus is found to have the syndrome, it is usually after screening for something else.
It is not possible to remove the extra X chromosome, so treatment will depend on the needs of the individual. Treatment will depend on which symptoms are present, and how severe they are.
Therapists can help if the girl has physical, developmental, or speech delays. A pediatric psychologist can help with social problems.
Treatment for developmental or psychological symptoms will be the same as for any child with such problems. If the girl has a learning disability, she should receive the same counseling and support as anybody else with that type of learning disability.
A supportive environment is crucial, especially as some girls with triple X syndrome may be more susceptible to stress.
A girl with triple X syndrome who receives proper help and support can lead a full and normal life.
If help is not provided for developmental delays or motor skill delays and difficulties, this can lead to undue stress and anxiety, and eventually psychological problems and social isolation.
Getting the right help and support is extremely helpful for anyone who has the symptoms of triple X syndrome.