Klinefelter syndrome, sometimes referred to as XXY syndrome or 47,XXY is a genetic condition that affects males.  Most males normally have one X and one Y chromosome; males that have Klinefelter syndrome have one extra copy of the X chromosome.  This chromosomal abnormality can affect sexual development and cause other abnormalities.  Klinefelter syndrome appears in about 1 in 750 males.  More rare are particular variants of Klinefelter syndrome, in which the male has more than just one extra copy of the X chromosome.

Some men with the extra X chromosome present no symptoms and lead normal lives.  Many others, however, may experience a variety of difficulties.  Development of the sexual organs may not proceed normally.  When the testicles do not develop normally, affected males will likely have lower levels of testosterone.  A lack of testosterone can create breast development, infertility, and reduced facial and body hair.

Other problems caused by Klinefelter syndrome can include delayed speech and language development, delayed emotional development, behavioral problems, and increased risk of breast cancer and systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic inflammatory disease.

Cases in which the male has more than just one extra copy of the X chromosome may cause more severe disabilities, including learning delays, sexual dysfunction, and distorted facial features.

Klinefelter syndrome is not passed on from parent to child.  Instead, it typically occurs as the result of an error in the process of cell division that produces sperm or egg.  There are no known ways to predict whether this error will occur.  Prenatal testing does not typically include screening for Klinefelter syndrome.

Klinefelter Syndrome is typically diagnosed as a boy enters puberty.  Early diagnosis can assist greatly, as any social and developmental problems can be addressed sooner, and appropriate educational interventions can be determined.

The primary treatment for Klinefelter syndrome includes hormone replacement.  Treatment of the symptoms of Klinefelter Syndrome may, for example, include speech therapy for speech and language delays, or counseling and social skills training for behavioral problems.

There are a great number of benefits to getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and while you are breast feeding. For example, Omega-3 fatty acids help with the development of the optical nerves. They also help with visual development. Some evidence suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids may even be useful as one part of an overall treatment plan for a woman who is suffering from postpartum depression. There is even some research to suggest that there may be a link between Omega-3 fatty acids and your child’s behavior.

How are Omega-3 fatty acids and your child’s behavior related? Well, it is an established fact that Omega-3 fatty acids aid in the development of the baby’s neurological system. If the neurological system doesn’t develop correctly due to a deficiency in Omega-3 fatty acids, there is the distinct possibility that your child’s brain functions could be impacted. This, in turn, may have a damaging effect on your child’s behavior.

The best way, then, to avoid this problem is to get enough Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. There are many specific foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids. The most abundant natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids is fish. If you don’t like fish, or can’t eat fish for any number of reasons, a simpler way to get enough Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy is with the use of a variety of types of nutritional supplements. These sorts of nutritional supplements often will contain fish oil.  If you have allergies that might prevent you from using fish oil supplements, there are also flaxseed oil supplements.

As with any supplement, you should speak with your health care provider before beginning Omega-3 fatty acid supplements of any sort.

In most places, there aren’t necessarily laws regarding child discipline, at least as it relates to parents.  Most states, for example, don’t indicate exactly how parents may or may not interact with their children in terms of child discipline.  Still, there are other important laws about how children are treated, and about how other people ought to be treated in general, that could possible come into conflict at one point or another with someone’s ideas regarding child discipline.  When this happens, the other laws are generally thought to supersede the parent’s right to discipline.

For example, it is not illegal in most states for a parent to spank a child.  It is, however, illegal for a parent to hit a child so hard that they break a bone, or they bleed.  Spanking advocates are quick to remind us that spanking, when done properly, will never result in more than a temporary sting on the bottom, rather than more severe consequences.  So, if in the act of child discipline a person violates another law, they can still be punished for it.

Having said all of that, there are some instances where legislators have attempted to create laws regarding child discipline.  For example, lawmakers in California recently attempted, and failed, to ban spanking.  Anti-spanking advocates, in many cases, believe that spanking is tantamount to child abuse, and that any discipline that involves physical contact should be outlawed.  Many more people that don’t practice or believe in spanking, however, do not believe that the laws should dictate to other parents how to discipline their children.

There are more often laws that do govern how a school must act regarding child discipline.  For example, paddling a child is illegal in most states.  In addition, most schools tend to, as a matter of practice, ban certain types of child discipline.  Many school districts have a policy that says that teachers and staff are not to use any form of corporal punishment whatsoever.  Here again, these laws regarding child discipline tend to apply to the school setting, rather than the home setting.