Abstract
Previous studies of XXY boys from biased sources of ascertainment have suggested a risk for communication disorders, and ongoing longitudinal prospective studies of unselected XXY boys have demonstrated early lags in speech development. This study compares the communication skills of a group of 14 unselected XXY boys ascertained during a neonatal screening survey with a group of 15 normal control boys, matched for age, grade, performance IQ, birth weight, parental age and education, parity and socioeconomic status. Although the XXY group did not significantly differ from the control group in performance IQ, they did demonstrate a significant reduction in verbal IQ (p≤0.001), which resulted in a reduced full scale IQ (p≤0.01). The reduction in verbal IQ was correlated with significant reductions in auditory processing abilities, auditory memory, and expressive language. Of particular interest was the demonstration of word-finding difficulties and problems in the use of syntax as major factors in the expressive language deficit. Except for difficulties with syntax, receptive language skills were relatively normal. These results suggest that left-hemisphere-based difficulty in serial order processing may be associated with the XXY anomaly, as compared with right-hemisphere deficits in spatial processing that have been associated with XO Turner syndrome.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Graham, J., Bashir, A., Walzer, S. et al. 720 COMMUNICATION SKILIS AMONG UNSELECTED XXY BOYS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 562 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00743
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00743
This article is cited by
-
Dyslexia in 47,XXXY boys identified at birth
Behavior Genetics (1986)