Key Takeaways
- Understanding turner syndrome aging women health management is important for seniors and their caregivers.
- Possible findings of the head and neck include:
- Turner syndrome can be diagnosed at any stage of life.
- Growth hormone may help a child with Turner syndrome grow taller.
- Those with Turner syndrome can have a normal life when carefully monitored by their provider.
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What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?
Understanding turner syndrome aging women health management is important for seniors and their caregivers. the typical number of human chromosomes is 46. Chromosomes contain all of your genes and DNA, the building blocks of the body. Two of these chromosomes, the sex chromosomes, determine if you become a boy or a girl.
- Females typically have 2 of the same sex chromosomes, written as XX.
- Males have an X and a Y chromosome (written as XY).
In people with Turner syndrome, cells are missing all or part of an X chromosome. The condition only occurs in females. Most commonly, a female with Turner syndrome has only 1 X chromosome. Others may have 2 X chromosomes, but one of them is incomplete. Sometimes, a female has some cells with 2 X chromosomes, but other cells have only 1. This situation is called
mosaicism
.
What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?
Possible findings of the head and neck include:
-
Ears are low-set
.
- Neck appears wide or web-like.
- Roof of the mouth is narrow (high palate).
- Hairline at the back of the head is lower.
- Lower jaw is lower and appears to fade away (recede).
- Drooping eyelids and dry eyes.
Other findings may include:
- Fingers and toes are short.
- Hands and feet are swollen in infants.
- Nails are narrow and turn upward.
- Chest is broad and flat.
- Nipples appear more widely spaced.
- Height at birth is often smaller than average.
A child with Turner syndrome is much shorter than children who are the same age and sex. This is called
short stature
. This problem may not be noticed in girls before age 11.
Puberty may be absent or not complete. If puberty occurs, it most often begins at the normal age. Pubic hair is often present and normal. After the age of puberty, unless treated with female hormones, these findings may be present:
- Breast development may not occur.
- Menstrual periods are absent or very light.
- Vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse are common.
- Infertility.
Sometimes, the diagnosis of Turner syndrome may not be made until adulthood. It may be discovered because a woman has very light or no menstrual periods and problems becoming pregnant.
📖 What Are Exams and Tests?
What Are Exams and Tests?
Turner syndrome can be diagnosed at any stage of life.
It may be diagnosed before birth if:
-
A
chromosome analysis
is done during prenatal testing.
-
An ultrasound during pregnancy detects a
cystic hygroma
(a fluid collection that often occurs in the head and neck area) and leads to further testing.
Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and look for signs of atypical development. Infants with Turner syndrome often have swollen hands and feet.
The following tests may be performed:
-
Blood hormone levels (
luteinizing hormone
, estrogen, and
follicle-stimulating hormone
)
-
Echocardiogram
-
Karyotyping
-
MRI of the chest
-
Ultrasound
of reproductive organs and kidneys
- Pelvic exam
Other tests that may be done periodically include:
- Blood pressure screening
- Thyroid checks
- Blood tests for lipids and glucose
-
Hearing screening
- Eye exam
-
Bone density testing
📖 How Is It Treated?
How Is It Treated?
Growth hormone may help a child with Turner syndrome grow taller.
Estrogen and other hormones are often started when the girl is 12 or 13 years old.
- These help trigger the growth of breasts, pubic hair, other sexual characteristics, and growth in height.
- Estrogen therapy is continued through life until the age of menopause.
Women with Turner syndrome who wish to become pregnant may consider using a donor egg.
Women with Turner syndrome may need care or monitoring for the following health problems:
-
Keloid
formation
-
Hearing loss
- High blood pressure
-
Diabetes
-
Thinning of the bones (
osteoporosis
)
- Widening of the aorta and narrowing of the aortic valve
-
Cataracts
- Obesity
Other issues may include:
- Weight management
- Exercise
- Transition to adulthood
- Stress and depression over changes
📖 What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?
What Is Outlook (Prognosis)?
Those with Turner syndrome can have a normal life when carefully monitored by their provider.
📖 What Are Possible Complications?
What Are Possible Complications?
Other health problems may include:
-
Thyroiditis
- Kidney problems
- Middle ear infections
-
Scoliosis
📖 How Is It Prevented?
How Is It Prevented?
There is no known way to prevent Turner syndrome.
Bonnevie-Ullrich syndrome; Gonadal dysgenesis; Monosomy X; XO
-
Karyotyping
Bacino CA, Lee B. Chromosome disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds.
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics
. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 99.
Pitteloud N, Papadakis GE, Jacobs AN. Physiology and disorders of puberty. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Rosen CJ, Kopp PA, eds.
Williams Textbook of Endocrinology
. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 23.
Thompson S, Wherrett DK. Disorders of sex development. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, eds.
Fanaroff and Martin’s Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 93.
Updated by: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
-
Turner Syndrome
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
Turner syndrome can be diagnosed at any stage of life. Growth hormone may help a child with Turner syndrome grow taller.
What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors?
What Are the Symptoms and Warning Signs?
Ears are low-set
. Neck appears wide or web-like. Roof of the mouth is narrow (high palate).
What Are Exams and Tests?
A
chromosome analysis
is done during prenatal testing. An ultrasound during pregnancy detects a
cystic hygroma
(a fluid collection that often occurs in the head and neck area) and leads to further testing.
How Is It Treated?
About the Author: This article was researched and written by the SilverWell Hub editorial team. It was medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, MD, Geriatrics.
Sources: This article is adapted from MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. See our full Medical Disclaimer.
Published: July 24, 2026 | Next review: January 2027
