Turner syndrome is from a problem with your genes. It has a range of features that differ in each person. Common ones are short height, absent or delayed puberty, and infertility.
Turner syndrome happens in girls and women. Females have two X chromosomes. Turner syndrome is most often caused by a missing X. It is most often not passed down from a parent.
In rare cases, a parent silently carries rearranged chromosomes. They can result in Turner syndrome in a daughter. This is the only time in can be passed from a parent.
There are no known risks that raise the chance of Turner syndrome.
Turner syndrome may cause:
Adults with Turner syndrome often can’t have children. They may have miscarriages, painful sex, and vaginal dryness. There may also be other health issues, such as heart problems.
Turner syndrome may be found before birth or after birth.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. A gynecologic exam of the mother may also be done.
You may have:
There is no known cure. Symptoms can be treated with:
Children who take growth hormones may be able raise their final adult height by a few inches. It may not help all children.
Bone-lengthening surgery can raise the final height of children. It may help those who do not do well with growth hormone. This can mean many surgeries, disability, and surgical problems.
HRT with estrogen and progesterone may be given. This can help start puberty and spur growth.
Women with Turner syndrome are often on medicines until menopause. It will help protect their bones from getting weak.
Throughout life, tests should be done to look for:
Turner syndrome can’t be prevented.
Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics
Turner Syndrome Society of the United States
Caring for Kids—Canadian Paediatric Society
Turner Syndrome Society of Canada
Bondy C, Turner Syndrome Study Group. Care of girls and women with Turner syndrome: a guideline of the Turner syndrome study group. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92(1):10-25.
Hahn SB, Park HW, Park HJ, Seo YJ, Kim HW. Lower limb lengthening in Turner dwarfism. Yonsei Med J. 2000;44(3):502-507.
Turner syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116917/Turner-syndrome. Updated June 22, 2018. Accessed August 27, 2018.
Turner syndrome. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development website. Available at: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/turner. Updated December 1, 2016. Accessed August 27, 2018.
Turner syndrome. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sexual/turner.html. Updated September 2017. Accessed August 27, 2018.
Last reviewed June 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review BoardDaniel A. Ostrovsky, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
