Topic: Chromosome Disorder

Jeff Davis and Richard Bredy interview Barbara Cook and her daughters, Brittany and Tiffany, in Central Texas to discuss Turner Syndrome. Brittany, age seven, and Tiffany, age six, appear on the program to highlight the physical differences caused by the condition, specifically regarding growth and development. The family discusses their living situation and the importance of sharing their story to help others recognize the symptoms of this rare genetic disorder.

Barbara Cook describes discovering her daughter Brittany's condition at 18 months old after the child stopped growing at the eight-month mark. Although Brittany was born at a healthy 21 inches, a specialist eventually confirmed a chromosome disorder that affects approximately one in 2,000 females. The discussion notes that many girls are not diagnosed until puberty when they fail to begin a menstrual cycle, often resulting in infertility.

The conversation shifts to the availability of support groups in San Marcos, North Texas, and Fort Worth for families dealing with Turner Syndrome. Barbara notes that while the disorder was identified as early as 1942, certain growth medications only received formal FDA approval in the late 1990s. She mentions meeting other patients ranging from age eight to 40 in the Austin and Round Rock areas.