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Ency. home > Disease > F > Fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Martin-Bell syndrome

Definition:

A genetic condition characterized by mental retardation which is caused by changes in the long arm of the X chromosome.

Causes and Risks

Fragile X syndrome accounts for approximately one-third of all X-chromosome linked mental retardation in males and one-tenth of that in females. The condition occurs in approximately 1 out of 2,000 males and in 1 in 4,000 females.  It is inherited in an X-linked recessive manner which means that boys are more likely to be affected than girls and that both parents must carry the mutation in order for the condition to occur.  Boys are more severely affected than girls.

Ency. home > Disease > F > Fragile X syndrome

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