How To Spot Jacob's Syndrome
Many individuals are unaware of what Jacob's syndrome means, though it is easy to spot once the knowledge is there. It’s more commonly referred to as XYY Syndrome, but it’s not a common health problem. XYY Syndrome occurs when an individual does not have the typical forty-six chromosomes in their cells. There is one X chromosome, and there is one Y chromosome. In some cases, however, a male child is born with an additional Y chromosome for a total of forty-seven chromosomes. This can happen in all cells, or it can happen in only a few cells. It happens to approximately one in every one thousand male babies born. Most young men with an extra chromosome live a happy, healthy life, but it’s not uncommon for them to have a few symptoms noticeable to those who know what to look for.
Delay In The Development Of Motor Skills
A delay in the development of motor skills is one of the most common signs of Jacob's syndrome, but it doesn’t always mean anything specific. A child might have some trouble learning to walk or crawl. They won’t go their entire life without learning these skills, but they might not learn to master them as quickly as a child with forty-six hromosomes. Other fine motor skills that might be a bit delayed include writing and speech skills. Most individuals attribute this kind of delay to boys being boys. Some don’t notice because they know babies all develop at a different rate. Some parents and teachers assume these boys aren’t paying attention in class, or they’re too busy dreaming of sports or play time, and others assume it’s just the immaturity boys tend to display. Some might worry, but doctors often tell parents it’s not uncommon for children to develop their motor skills in their own time.
Weak Muscle Tone
Weak muscle tone is referred to in the medical community as hypotonia, and it is one of the more noticeable symptoms of Jacob's syndrome. While a child with delayed motor skills might be delayed for a myriad of various reasons, weak muscle tone is exceptionally noticeable. It often presents itself in a child in a way that makes them look more like a rag doll than a child. They have difficulty holding up their arms, legs, and even their heads. Their muscles are just so relaxed that they often look as if they are too relaxed. This attributes to their learning disabilities associated with their delayed motor skills. Their muscle tone simply isn’t strong enough to allow them to sit up, crawl, or walk as quickly as a child with good muscle tone. It’s a scary realization for a parent when a baby has weak muscles. When the child is male, XYY syndrome might be at the top of the list for their doctor to check out when the parent brings them into the office.
