Fragile X syndrome

[hazelcs]

My sister has just found out her 4 yr old boy has Fragile X and says it can be
passed on down the family. My daughter has a lovely healthy 20m old boy and is now pregnant again. Sister says I should tell daughter to get checked out for this.
Is this not going to upset daughter for no good reason - nothing can be done until baby born seemingly and then be tested. Anyone out there dealing with this timebomb?

[k8bailey]

Hi hazelcs, I don't know much about fragile x, although I do occasionally support a young man with the condition who is in his late teens and attending college.

I'm pregnant with my second child, I come from a family where over 50% of my generation (myself included) have fairly severe birth defects. Although it is a constant worry that my second child will have something wrong with it, I'm glad I know that this is a possibility. Knowing about my family's medical problems, means that my partner and I can be slightly prepared for the worst, and better informed and that the medical staff taking care of me and the baby are aware and extra vigilant.

There's no good time for news like this, but if it were me, I'd rather know now and not feel it had been kept from me - If you don't tell her now, when will be a good time? when the baby's born, a week old, a month etc? This is just my opinion though and its up to you, I know you're just want to protect her, and I wish you all the best.

[hazelcs]

thank you k8bailey - I suppose I dont want to face up to it so trying to delay doing anything about it. It might never happen.... but as you say if you know you can prepare yourself beforehand. Thanks and hope all goes well with your child.

[lotsafun]

sorry to sound ingnorant but what is fragile x, ive never heard of that?

[hazelcs]

seemingly when the genes for baby split up to be a boy or girl there can be a dodgy x hence the name. Can be very serious though so far they are saying nephew is just a medium stage - slow development , speach, etc though he is getting loads of support and coming on in leaps and bounds. Worrying bit is tho dont girls usually get it they are carriers and pass onto their children.