Girls with Turner syndrome may exhibit certain physical and anatomical abnormalities, particularly short stature and underdeveloped ovaries. Other physical characteristics of females with TS may include a short, thick neck; arms that turn out slightly at the elbows; and a low hairline at the back of the head.
However, it's important to note that growth failure may be the only outward sign of TS. Over time, cardiovascular, kidney, thyroid, ear, and skeletal problems may also arise, but these conditions vary among individuals.
Outward symptoms of Turner syndrome may be easy to see:
- Short stature
- Webbing of the neck
- Low-set, rotated ears
- Arms that turn out slightly at the elbows
- Low hairline at the back of the head
Internal signs of Turner syndrome may be harder to identify:
- Not reaching sexual maturity
- Menstruation not starting
• Poorly developed ovaries - Joint and bone problems
- Thyroid problems
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Kidney problems
- Heart problems
- Repeated ear infections
- Infertility
- A high, arched palate in the mouth
References
Lifshitz F, ed. Pediatric Endocrinology. 4th ed. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker Inc; 2003.Lippe BM, Saenger PH. Turner syndrome. In: Sperling MA, ed. Pediatric Endocrinology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. 2002:519-564.
Saenger P, Wikland KA, Conway GS, et al. Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of Turner syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001;86:3061-3069.
Wilson JD, Foster DW, Kronenberg HM, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1998.
