Chromosome studies of children with specific speech and language delay

Among 88 children with speech and language problems from whom chromosome results were obtained, four were identified with a chromosome anomaly. Three had sex chromosome aneuploidy and had developmental problems, particularly with articulation. The fourth child had low-grade trisomy 21 in blood, with minimal signs of Down's syndrome but with bilateral conductive hearing loss. It is suggested that delay in speech development is one facet of the developmental problems that may be significant in later behavioural problems in adolescent and adult males with X and Y aneuploidy.