Life adaptation in 35 adults with sex chromosome abnormalities

Purpose: This report from the last phase of the 36-year Denver Study provid es information about the adult life adaptation of 35 men and women with sex chromosome abnormalities (SCA) followed since their identification at birt h. Methods: Sex chromatin screening of 40,000 consecutive newborns between 1964 and 1974 resulted in the cohort of 35 SCA men and women followed to da te since birth. Sixteen chromosomally normal siblings served as controls. D ata constituting this report was obtained from formal and informal intervie ws and psychological testing conducted in the final year of this study. Res ults: The nonmosaic SCA propositi had lower mean intelligence quotients and psychosocial adjustment scores than did siblings, Consistent with these re sults, propositi also had lower levels of educational achievement and caree r success, although most have completed school, married, hold full-time emp loyment, and are financially independent. Conclusions: While the SCA adults demonstrated lower levels of cognitive and psychosocial competence, their overall adaptation has been positive, particularly given an early literatur e suggesting a high rate of psychopathology and severe dysfunction.