THE INTERPLAY OF BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN A PRESCHOOL-AGE PATIENT WITH KLINEFELTER'S SYNDROME

[摘要] A 3-year-old male with 47XXY karyotype is presented as an example of how various genetic and environmental (including psychosocial) factors can contribute to delayed and/or disturbed behavior. The young preschool child's behavioral repertoire is so small, undifferentiated, and nonspecific that a variety of causes can evoke the same symptom(s) and behavior, and the danger of misdiagnosis, therefore, is great. Such disturbances may not be entirely or partially caused by a disturbed parent-child relationship. The pediatrician is usually the first to see such a young patient and in a position to initiate appropriate referrals for a complete diagnostic work-up, including cytological, hearing, and speech studies, not only for accurate diagnosis, but also for prognosis, treatment, and parental counseling.

[学科分类] 儿科学