XYY Syndrome is a congenital chromosomal pathology that is characteristic only of men. This disease was first described in 1962. A genetic examination of the father of a child with Down syndrome was carried out. As a result, an extra chromosome Y was revealed in a man. This pathology was called Jacobs syndrome. Usually this does not affect the appearance and well-being of a person. In most cases, men do not even suspect their features, and it is detected by chance during genetic analysis.
Causes
This syndrome refers to chromosomal abnormalities. Men usually have a set of XY chromosomes. This is considered the norm. With this syndrome, a person has another male chromosome Y. For this reason, this pathology was formerly called super-male syndrome. This feature is noted in approximately 1 boy out of 1000 children.
The father of such a child has an accidental failure during spermatogenesis. A sperm is formed that carries two Y chromosomes at once. In this case, when the egg is fertilized, an embryo with XYY syndrome is born. The reasons for this genetic malfunction are unknown.
Symptomatology
This chromosomal violation does not affect the appearance of a person. It can only be noted that patients are usually tall. Such boys usually grow up quickly in childhood and look taller than their peers.
In some men, the coordination of movements is slightly impaired, and they look somewhat awkward. Childbearing function and potency are not impaired, but there may be a high level of testosterone. Such patients may be at increased risk of varicose veins, acne, and early baldness.
The level of intelligence and mental development remains normal. In earlier times, doctors believed that such men have increased aggressiveness, anger, inconsiderability and are prone to delinquency. However, this point of view is currently disproved.
In general, patients are no different from healthy people. However, psychotherapists note that some men with this syndrome have such psychological characteristics as impulsiveness, infantilism, and irritability.
Children with this syndrome develop normally. But they may have difficulty learning. It is difficult for such a child to read. In children, the development of speech may be somewhat delayed. Often these children are hyperactive and inattentive. However, these features can be easily corrected and in most cases the child can study in a regular school.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of XYY syndrome is performed by karyotyping. The patient takes blood from a vein and determine the chromosome set. This is the most reliable way to confirm this anomaly.
However, men rarely undergo such a diagnosis. Indeed, most of these patients do not have health problems associated with chromosomal pathology. Therefore, the need for karyotyping arises only when planning childbirth or in the presence of a child with congenital pathologies.
Therapy
As already mentioned, this syndrome refers to chromosomal abnormalities. Therefore, it is not subject to treatment. After all, it is impossible to change the chromosome set of a person. In addition, such patients usually do not have serious deviations in health status and often do not even know their karyotype.
If the patient has such character traits as excessive impulsiveness, temper, infantilism, then he needs psychotherapeutic help. The appointment of sedatives is sometimes indicated.
As mentioned above, some children with XYY syndrome have difficulty learning and suffer from hyperactivity. In this case, you need to consult a child psychologist or psychotherapist. The administration of nootropic drugs may also be required. This will accelerate the mental processes and development of the child. In difficult cases, children are transferred to special education.
Is the syndrome inherited?
XYY syndrome is not a hereditary pathology. A man cannot convey this feature to his child. However, it was found that fathers with a double Y chromosome are more likely to have children with other genetic abnormalities, for example, with Down syndrome. Therefore, when planning childbirth, it is useful for both a man and a woman to undergo an analysis to determine the karyotype. If an additional Y chromosome is identified in the future father, then a genetic consultation may be required. Also, men with this syndrome need to be careful about their health due to the increased risk of vein diseases.