What is a Superfemale- XXX Syndrome?

A superfemale is an individual containing XXX sex chromosomes.

In similar words, a superfemale is an individual that has XXX syndrome; she has an extra X sex chromosome in her genes.

A Normal Chrosomal set

A healthy individual has 2 sex chromosomes. A normal healthy male has 2 sex chromosomes, 1 X chromosome and 1 Y chromosome, for an XY set of sex chromosomes. A normal healthy female has 2 sex chromosomes, 2 X chromosomes, for an XX set of sex chromosomes.

Below is a karyotype of a normal and healthy female individual.

The sex chromosomes are the last pair of chromosomes, for which you can see an X under the pair, signaling that both sex chromosomes are X, meaning the individual is female.

You can see that in a normal, healthy female individual, there are 2 sex chromosomes present, an XX set.

Superfemale- XXX syndrome

However, not all females are born with an XX set of chromosomes. Some females are born with 3 sex chromosomes, 3 X chromosomes, for an XXX set of sex chromosomes. In other words, they are born with an extra X sex chromosome.

Below is the karyotype of an individual with XXX syndrome:

You can see the extra X chromosome present in the sex chromosomes.

Symptoms of (Superfemale) XXX Syndrome

The symptoms that may result from being a superfemale (XXX syndrome) are speech development problems and verbal IQ. A person who has XXX syndrome may struggle more with words and, overall, verbally.

Incidence of Superfemales

The incidence of superfemales, or females having XXX syndrome, is 1 out of 1000 live births.

Related Resources

Down's Syndrome

Edward's Syndrome

Patau's Syndrome

Turner's Syndrome

Klinefelter's Syndrome

Supermale- XYY Syndrome