[*][P] Fragile X Syndrome
GeneClinics by J Tarleton and RA Saul. " ... characterized by moderate mental retardation in affected males and mild mental retardation in affected females ... all mothers of a child with an FMR1 gene full mutation (expansions >230 trinucletide repeats) are known to be carries of an FMR1 gene expandsion. They and their family members are at increased risk to have children with fragile X syndrome and should be offered DNA-based testing and recurrence risk counseling based on the results. This counseling is extremely complex and should be provided by a knowledgeable genetic professional. Prenatal testing is possible though analysis ... should only be undertaken after carrier status has been ... (1998)."

[*][P] Fragile Site Mental Retardation 1 - FMR1
- - other Fragile X Mental Retardation mutations
OMIM - comprehensive authoritative review mostly for Medical Geneticists.

Diagnostic and Carrier Testing
[P] Policy Statement by the American College of Medical Genetics. "... diagnosis ... was originally based on the expression of a folate-sensitive fragile site at Xq27.3 or FRAXA ... complicated by the presence of other fragile sites in the same region of the X chromosome (FRAXD, FRAXE, and FRAXF) ... expansion of the trinucleotide repeat to more than 2000 repeats is almost always associated with methylation ... gene inactivation ... testing should be considered for individuals of either sex with mental retardation especially if there are signs of autism ... or family history of mental retardation ..."

Delayed Diagnosis of Fragile X Syndrome - United States, 1990-1999
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading cause of inherited mental retardation, affecting approximately 50,000 persons in the United States ... FXS occurs when a mutation on the X chromosome is passed from mother to child. Preliminary data suggest that children affected by FXS experience a delay in diagnosis, a pattern common to other single-gene disorders... This report ... indicate that approximately half of the families did not learn the diagnosis for more than a year after first concerns about their child's development or behavior, and half reported having subsequent pregnancies before FXS was diagnosed in their first child ... few children are identified by routine surveillance systems for birth defects and developmental disabilities...

Fragile X Syndrome and Speech Problems
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - ASHA. " ... Delayed speech and language development is often the first indication ... "

Fragile X Syndrome
by Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D., Center for the Study of Autism, Salem, Oregon.
Martin - Bell Syndrome ... 15% to 20% of those with Fragile X Syndrome exhibit autistic-type behaviors, such as poor eye contact, hand-flapping or odd gesture movements, hand-biting, and poor sensory skills. Behavior problems and speech/language delay are common features of Fragile X Syndrome ... also have a number of recognizable physical features, including a high arched palate, strabismus (lazy eye), large ears, long face, large testicles in males, poor muscle tone, flat feet, and sometimes mild, heart valve abnormalities. Although most individuals with Fragile X syndrome have a characteristic 'look' (long face and large ears), there are some who do not have typical features ...

[*] The National Fragile X Foundation (since 1984)
Well organized and illustrated 12 pages - a good resource.

FRAXA Research Foundation Inc.
" ... run by parents ... founded because fragile X research is drastically underfunded ... "

Fragile X Association of Southern California
" ... formed to promote public awareness ..."

[Italian] Associazione Italiana Sindrome X-Fragile
Sede en Milano

[Italian] Sindrome de Martin Bell - da X fragile - FRAX
" ... la forma piu comune di ritardomentale dopo la sindrome di Dawn ..."

[Swedish] Fragil X Syndromet
" ... aven kallat FRAXA - syndromet ar en DNA - och kromosomforandring som kan ge varierad grad av utvecklinsstorning ..."

[German] frax Online
Informationen zum fraX-Syndrom sind leider noch recht schwer zu finden (besonders in deutsch) ...

[Ukrainian] Fragile X Syndrome
A fact sheet for professionals in Ukrainian
Synonyms ... Clinical picture ... Etilogy ... Pathogenesis ... Associated symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Folic acid treatment ...

Rapid Antibody Test for Prenatal Diagnosis of Fragile X Syndrome on Amniotic Fluid Cells

Trinucleotide Repetition and Fragile X Syndrome

Health Supervision for Children With Fragile X Syndrome

FRAXA Research Foundation
Supporting research aimed at treatment of Fragile X Syndrome ...

Fragile X Syndrome
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

Facts About Fragile X Syndrome
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.