Incidence, prevalence, age at diagnosis, and mortality in individuals with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism: A population-based registry study
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Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Microsatellite DNA Genotyping and Flow Cytometry Ploidy Analyses of Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Hydatidiform Molar Tissues
Published on: October 20, 2019
Kirstine Stochholm1, Camilla Holmgård1, Shanlee M Davis2
1Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Purpose:
To assess the population-based incidence, prevalence, and age at diagnosis of individuals with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism (and associated variants) and describe the associated mortality pattern. In addition, a systematic literature review of papers providing prevalence data of 45,X/46,XY mosaicism was performed.
Methods:
A population-based epidemiological study of all individuals diagnosed with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism between 1960 and 2019. Mortality was analyzed using data from the Danish Causes of Death Register. One-hundred randomly age- and sex-matched general population controls per case were identified for comparison.
Results:
One-hundred-thirty-seven males and 46 females with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism were identified. The apparent prevalence was 5.6 per 100,000 liveborn males and 2.1 per 100,000 liveborn females. The incidence of males with 45,X/46,XY increased during the study (P > .0001) but was stable for females (P = .4). Males were significantly older than females when diagnosed (median age = 29.1, interquartile range: 3.4-41.3) years versus 13.3 (interquartile range: 2.1-19.1) years, P = .002). All-cause mortality was doubled in males with 45,X/46,XY (Hazard Ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.2-3.3) and quadrupled in females (Hazard Ratio = 4.0, confidence interval: 2.0-7.9).
Conclusion:
The apparent population-based prevalence of males and females with 45,X/46,XY is 5.6 and 2.1 per 100,000 liveborn males and females, respectively. Diagnosis of males with 45,X/46,XY males is increasing. 45,X/46,XY mosaicism is associated with an increased all-cause mortality.
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