Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, which contain all of our genetic information. Men are distinguished from women by having one pair of chromosomes consisting of a single "X" and a single "Y" chromosome. Women on the other hand normally have two X-chromosomes.

In women suffering from Turner Syndrome, some of the genetic material on one of these chromosomes is missing, or an entire X chromosome may be missing. The exact cause of the disease isn't known but it is thought to be a random occurrence a

Therapy may start as early as age twelve, if the child has already had a few years of intervention with human growth hormones. Otherwise, the child's development will be monitored. If puberty has not started by age 15 or so, estrogen replacement therapy may be recommended.

ffecting approximately one out every 2,000 live female births.

Male fetuses that miss the X chromosome don't survive. A Y chromosome can't function on its own. A single X chromosome can survive, however, and the resulting child is a girl with Turner Syndrome.

Puberty is so often delayed or compromised, secondary sexual characteristics such as breast development are also slowed down or limited. Estrogen hormone therapy is usually prescribed as a girl reaches her mid-teens without the onset of puberty. The estrogen hormone allows the girl's body to mature, and helps prevent osteoporosis, which commonly afflicts women with Turner Syndrome.

Short stature is one of the defining characteristics of Turner Syndrome, as the gene responsible for long bone growth is mi

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