Life adaptation in 35 adults with sex chromosome abnormalities

This report from the last phase of the 36-year Denver Study provides information about the adult life adaptation of 35 men and women with sex chromosome abnormalities (SCA) followed since their identification at birth.

Sex chromatin screening of 40,000 consecutive newborns between 1964 and 1974 resulted in the cohort of 35 SCA men and women followed to date since birth. Sixteen chromosomally normal siblings served as controls. Data constituting this report was obtained from formal and informal interviews and psychological testing conducted in the final year of this study.

The nonmosaic SCA propositi had lower mean intelligence quotients and psychosocial adjustment scores than did siblings. Consistent with these results, propositi also had lower levels of educational achievement and career success, although most have completed school, married, hold full-time employment, and are financially independent.

While the SCA adults demonstrated lower levels of cognitive and psychosocial competence, their overall adaptation has been positive, particularly given an early literature suggesting a high rate of psychopathology and severe dysfunction.