Emotional Disorder in Xyy Children: Four Case Reports

Four boys, from a group of fourteen with an XYY chromosome constitution identified by cytogenetic screening at birth, were referred for psychiatric treatment, age seven to nine years. Presenting symptoms included severe temper tantrums, stealing and enuresis, and they were diagnosed as having mild to severe emotional disorders. There were multiple factors of increased risk for psychiatric disturbance in their backgrounds nd there was evidence of reactive depression in all four boys. Treatment with individual and family psychotherapy, combined with antidepressant medication in two of the four children and special educational provisions in one, resulted in good short-term outcome comparable to that achieved in chromosomally normal boys.