Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Genetics (Expert Forum)
Fragile X Syndrome
Answered by
Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC - Hereditary Disorders, hemochromatosis, Patient Outreach
DNA Direct
Welcome to the Genetics Forum! Questions in the Genetics Forum are being answered by genetic experts from AccessDNA. This forum is for questions and support regarding a person’s predisposition to a variety of medical conditions such as Ashkenazi Jewish Diseases, Bleeding Disorders, Blood Clotting Disorders, Cancer Genetics and Hereditary Cancer Syndromes, Chromosome Abnormalities, Congenital Birth Defects, Cystic Fibrosis, Family History, Fragile X Syndrome, Infertility, Newborn Screening, Rare Genetic Disorders, Prenatal Screening and Testing.
This forum is for questions and support regarding a person’s predisposition to a variety of medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Blood-clotting Disorders, Breast Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Marfan Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, etc.
Fragile X Syndrome
by eaglesJW, Sep 04, 2007 06:28AM
Thanks so much for this new forum!
My neice was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome. Does this mean that I could have children with Fragile X Syndrome? If so, is there some test that I can have to find out whether I carry this gene?
My neice was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome. Does this mean that I could have children with Fragile X Syndrome? If so, is there some test that I can have to find out whether I carry this gene?
Doctor's Answer
by Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC, Sep 13, 2007 07:17PM
, Sep 13, 2007 07:17PM
Fragile X syndrome is one of the most common forms of inherited mental retardation. It is caused by a gene that is carried on the X chromosome. You didn’t say if your niece is related through a brother or a sister. This will impact the chance that you could be a carrier of fragile X syndrome, and if you could have children with this disorder.
Testing is available for fragile X syndrome. It is recommended that you visit a genetic counselor. A genetic counselor will take your family history, get medical records on your relevant family (with their permission), determine the chance that you are a fragile X carrier, and review the pros and cons of testing. If you are a carrier, a counselor will discuss with you what that means for you and your children.
A genetic counselor can be found through the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
Testing is available for fragile X syndrome. It is recommended that you visit a genetic counselor. A genetic counselor will take your family history, get medical records on your relevant family (with their permission), determine the chance that you are a fragile X carrier, and review the pros and cons of testing. If you are a carrier, a counselor will discuss with you what that means for you and your children.
A genetic counselor can be found through the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
Recent Videos
RSS
Expert Activity
Related Expert Forums
Related Communities
If they offer a chromosome analysis, decline that test, it has proven unreliable to diagnose FX and is costly.
Do they know if the mother or the father is the carrier? Is the carrier one of your siblings? If so, you should be tested, if not, there would be no need to test.
Accurate and detailed information onFragile X is available from the National Fragile X Foundation - 925-938-9300 or through The Fragile X Research Foundation - 978-462-1866.