Sex chromosome aberrations and speech development.

M., and Mutton, D. E. (1973).Archives of Disease in Childhood, 48,937.Sex chromosome aberrations and speech development.When chromosome studies were made on 9 boys with grossly defective expressive speech but with normal levels of language comprehension, 3 were found to have abnormal karyotypes. 2 were mosaic (46,XY/47,XXY and 46,XY/47,XYY) and the third had 48 chromosomes with an XXYY sex chromosome complement.These results and data in published reports suggest that sex chromosome aneuploidy may play an important role in delaying and upsetting the development of higher neurological functions, for example those involved in communication and psychosocial adaptation and behaviour.The early diagnosis of such children and subsequent remedial and medical intervention may reduce the risk of psychiatric referral later in life.