Myth about Fragile X Syndrome busted

The absence of clinical medicine to treat Fragile X Syndrome, the most common known genetic cause of autism, does not mean it is not amenable to other forms of care, say experts debunking myths about the inherited condition.

"For something that is not treatable by medicine, you tend to think nothing can be done. The doctor's job is to get somebody better. The real myth is there is no chemical medicine so nothing can be done," said Samir Dalwai, Indian Academy of Paediatrics, Mumbai chapter.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and the most common known genetic cause of autism or autism spectrum disorders. Approximately 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 individuals has FXS. It causes a range of developmental problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment.

Usually, males are more severely affected by this disorder than females. The awareness level in India with respect to other countries is considerably low, says Shalini Kedia, chairperson, Fragile X Society of India.

"It is necessary for spreading awareness about the syndrome among the medical fraternity especially paediatricians and gynaecologists as well as parents and couples planning to have a child, so that children with Fragile X Syndrome are detected early in life," said Kedia.

There is no medication that has a benefit specifically for fragile X syndrome. Drugs are commonly used to treat symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity, anxiety, and aggression and so, supportive management becomes necessary.