How to Recognize the Symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome

Last Updated: December 29, 2022 References

Fragile X syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental delays and behavioral problems. The level of intellectual disability varies from mild to severe for people with this condition. This condition affects both males and females. Females often have milder symptoms than males if they have Fragile X syndrome. Around 1 in 7,000 males have the condition, and around 1 in 11,000 females have it. People with Fragile X syndrome usually live an average life expectancy, and can expect to live a good life. It is not a deadly condition. You can take steps to recognize the symptoms of Fragile X syndrome.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome

1
Examine your child for the physical features of Fragile X syndrome. ^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Many kids with this condition have noticeable physical features that are a symptom of Fragile X syndrome. This includes:
- A long, narrow face
- A large forehead
- A large jaw
- Softer skin
- Larger ears
- Crossed eyes
- Flat feet (with no arches)
- Being overly flexible
- Low muscle tone
2
Check if your child is fulfilling the same developmental milestones as other children. Each child is different, and some may accomplish milestones such as talking, walking, and reading slower or faster than other children, but kids with Fragile X Syndrome learn these skills at a very late age. Check if they have accomplished the following milestones at age 2:
- Sitting
- Walking
- Talking
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3
See if your child is having trouble learning new skills. Many kids are slow in eating solid foods, reading, or doing academic work at first, but kids with Fragile X Syndrome might take longer than the average kid. They may have problems reading, writing, or doing math work at school.
4
Check if your child has sensory and communication difficulties.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} Kids with Fragile X Syndrome have some degree of social and sensory problems. This varies for each Fragile X child, but some symptoms include:
- Not making eye contact with others
- Social anxiety
- Trouble paying attention
- Trouble understanding what someone is saying
- Acting and speaking on impulse
- Being hyperactive
- Flapping or biting their hands
- Sensory issues (e.g. having trouble processing certain sounds, tastes, touches, etc.)
- Difficulty in picking up social cues
5
Check for other conditions and symptoms that may appear with Fragile X syndrome. ^{[3]
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Research source} In one survey, parents said that their kids with Fragile X syndrome also had other conditions such as:
- Epilepsy
- Sleep disorders (insomnia, night terrors, etc.)
- Self-injury behaviors
- Being overly aggressive
- Obesity

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Genetic Factors of Fragile X Syndrome

1
Know what causes Fragile X syndrome. Fragile X syndrome is a genetic disorder, meaning that it is passed on by genes. A change to a gene on the X-chromosome called the FMR1 gene causes Fragile X syndrome. ^{[4]
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Research source} When the gene is changed or altered, the gene cannot produce a certain protein that makes the brain work normally. This causes Fragile X syndrome.
2
Know factors that make this condition more likely. Your child is more likely to get Fragile X syndrome if: ^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
University of California San Francisco Health Center
Research hospital associated with UCSF, a leading medical university, providing innovative patient care and public health resources
Go to source}
- You have a family history of Fragile X syndrome
- You have a family history of autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders
- You have infertility problems
- You have a family history of tremors/ataxia

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Differentiating Between Other Conditions

1
Know the difference between autism and Fragile X syndrome. ^{[6]
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Research source} There are shared characteristics between the two conditions (mainly learning problems and late developmental milestones). But they have many differences too, such as how they are caused and other symptoms that differentiate between them.
- Autism is not caused by one single genetic mutation, whereas Fragile X syndrome is caused by a mutation in the FMR1 gene.
- Autistic people do not have seizures (unless they have epilepsy), whereas some people with this syndrome have seizures.
- Autistic people do not have a specific appearance, whereas most kids with Fragile X syndrome have low muscle tone, large foreheads, large ears, and other physical traits that indicate the condition.
2
Know the difference between Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. ^{[7]
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Research source} There are shared characteristics between the two conditions (mainly learning problems). But they have many differences too, such as how they are caused and other symptoms that differentiate between them.
- Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 (all or part of it), whereas Fragile X syndrome is caused by a mutation in the FMR1 gene. ^{[8]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- People with Down syndrome do not have seizures (unless they have epilepsy), whereas some people with this syndrome have seizures.
- People with Down syndrome usually have slanted eyes, flat noses, wide necks, and underdeveloped parts of their body. Kids with Fragile X syndrome have low muscle tone, large foreheads, large ears, and other physical traits that indicate the condition.
3
Tell the difference between personality traits and Fragile X syndrome.
- Introversion is not caused by one gene, whereas Fragile X syndrome is caused by a mutation in the FMR1 gene. Introversion is not a condition- it is just someone's personality.
- Social anxiety is not caused by one gene- it can be environmental or genetic. Fragile X syndrome is caused by a mutation in the FMR1 gene. People with Fragile X syndrome are more likely to have social anxiety, whereas people with social anxiety are not more likely to have Fragile X syndrome.