XYY syndrome is a sex chromosome abnormality in which boys are born with two Y chromosomes and one X chromosome.
Chromosomes are structures within cells that contain DNA and many genes. Genes contain instructions that determine how the body is supposed to look and function.
The sex chromosomes determine whether a fetus becomes male or female. A pair of X and Y chromosomes (XY) results in a male, and a pair of X and X chromosomes (XX) results in a female.
About 1 in every 1,000 boys is born with XYY syndrome.
Boys with XYY syndrome tend to be tall and have difficulties with language. The intelligence quotient (IQ) tends to be slightly lower than that of other family members. Learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and minor behavioral disorders can develop.
XYY syndrome was once thought to cause aggressive or violent criminal behavior, but this theory has been disproved.
