What Is Fragile X Syndrome?      Fragile X syndrome is an
inherited genetic disease that causes intellectual and
developmental disabilities. Inherited means that the disease is
passed down from parents to children through their genes.
Fragile X syndrome is the most common hereditary source of
mental disability in boys. People with fragile X syndrome
usually experience a range of developmental and learning
problems. The disease is a life-long condition. Only some people
with fragile X syndrome are able to live independently.
According to the Genetics Home Reference (GHR), fragile X
syndrome is found in about one in every 4,000 males and about
one in every 8,000 females. (GHR) Males usually have more severe
symptoms than females.      What Causes Fragile X Syndrome?
Fragile X syndrome is caused by a defect in the FMR1 gene
located on the X chromosome. The X chromosome is one of two
types of sex chromosomes. The other is the Y chromosome. Women
have two X chromosomes while men have one X chromosome and