Iconic Symptoms Of Turner Syndrome

Slowed Growth

A Turner syndrome patient will often have slowed growth. This will become apparent during infancy and continue throughout childhood. Most Turner syndrome patients are relatively short in stature. Geneticists have discovered that issues with the short-stature homeobox (SHOX) gene are among the main causes of Turner syndrome. This gene affects skeletal development and growth. When one X chromosome is missing from this gene, there are effects on the skeleton's development.

Unlike with many other disorders that cause short stature, Turner syndrome patients do not typically lack growth hormone. The pituitary gland creates growth hormone. However, the body of a Turner syndrome patient does not use it efficiently. Patients will often see a dramatic increase in their skeletal growth by taking artificial hormones to supplement their natural ones. Treating an individual's short stature affects the other treatments they may pursue. The earlier that a patient receives treatment, the greater their chances are of achieving a close-to-average height. Many patients find that the velocity of their growth begins declining significantly between two and four years old.

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Wide Neck

A wide neck is a characteristic symptom of Turner syndrome. Around thirty percent of patients will have extra skin folds on their neck. This is medically referred to as a webbed neck. Their hairline may also come to a low point on the back of their neck. This is instead of ending at the back of their head. The 'webbing' on their neck will start at the sides of their neck and extend to their shoulders. As the term implies, the folds of skin look like webbing on an amphibian's hands.

A webbed neck will not often cause problems by itself. However, it may be accompanied by bone abnormalities that cause issues with the skeletal structure. Turner syndrome patients do not have an inherently higher risk of suffering from psychological issues. However, anxieties about appearance are common in girls, especially pre-adolescents or those going through adolescence. These appearance-based anxieties may sometimes cause self-esteem issues that may, in turn, lead to depression.

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