The Silent Struggle of Klinefelter Syndrome.

         Despite Klinefelter Syndrome affecting approximately 1 in 500 men, it is still one of the most under-diagnosed and overlooked conditions. Only about 35% of individuals who have Klinefelter Syndrome will ever receive a diagnosis, most of the time receiving a diagnosis prior to being born, or when facing difficulties in conceiving a child. The truth is a lot of the symptoms that attributed with Klinefelter Syndrome may not be obvious, or may be easily ignored by family physicians, as symptoms of Klinefelter Syndrome such as low testosterone, clinodactyly,  and abnormally tall stature may not point to a specific condition. Also, many people who have Klinefelter syndrome might intuitively falsely overestimate the effects of having an extra X chromosome, believing  that it would lead to cognitive impairments closer to other genetic conditions like Down Syndrome.

     Unfortunately, the lack of acknowledgment towards Klinefelter Syndrome causes the people who have it to have a decreased quality of life due to not being able to receive treatment through testosterone replacement therapy, and support for learning disabilities. This is why increasing awareness and education for both healthcare professionals, and the general public is vital in ensuring that everyone who has Klinefelter Syndrome can receive a diagnosis, and treatment if needed.

By: Ziad Kadoura