Klinefelter Syndrome – Etiology, Clinical Presentation and Modern Approaches to the Diagnosis and Treatment: A Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2026.90.70248Keywords
Klinefelter syndrome, hypogonadism, infertility, 47, XXY, testosterone supplementation, TESEAbstract
Introduction: Klinefelter syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality in males, characterized by the presence of an extra X chromosome, resulting in 47, XXY karyotype. Its prevalence is approximately 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 live-born males. The phenotypic expression is highly variable and includes hypogonadism, infertility, and an increased risk of metabolic complications and neurocognitive disorders.
Purpose: The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the current state of knowledge on Klinefelter syndrome, with particular emphasis on modern diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Material and methods: This article is a narrative literature review and was conducted using international databases. Publications were selected based on their scientific value, relevance, and relation to the topic.
Results: Current evidence indicates that patients benefit from an interdisciplinary approach, involving coordinated care among multiple specialists, including andrologists, endocrinologists, geneticists, psychologists, and experts in infertility treatment. Despite its relatively high prevalence, a significant proportion of affected individuals remain undiagnosed until adulthood, resulting in delayed initiation of therapeutic interventions.
Conclusions: Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition with numerous somatic, reproductive, and psychosocial consequences. Early diagnosis, individualized therapeutic strategies, and multidisciplinary care significantly improve long-term prognosis and quality of life in patients. Future research should prioritize the refinement of diagnostic approaches, elucidation of the long-term effects of hormone therapy, and investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic variability.
References
1. Bonomi M, Rochira V, Pasquali D, et al. Klinefelter syndrome (KS): genetics, clinical phenotype and hypogonadism. J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(2):123-134. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0541-6
2. Los E, Leslie SW, Kadam SJ, Ford GA. Klinefelter Syndrome. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 5, 2025.
3. Kanakis GA, Nieschlag E. Klinefelter syndrome: more than hypogonadism. Metabolism. 2018;86:135-144. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2017.09.017
4. Blackburn J, Ramakrishnan A, Graham C, Bambang K, Sriranglingam U, Senniappan S. Klinefelter Syndrome: A Review. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2025;102(5):565-573. doi:10.1111/cen.15200
5. Los E, Leslie SW, Kadam SJ, Ford GA. Klinefelter Syndrome. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 5, 2025.
6. Tartaglia N, Ayari N, Howell S, D'Epagnier C, Zeitler P. 48,XXYY, 48,XXXY and 49,XXXXY syndromes: not just variants of Klinefelter syndrome. Acta Paediatr. 2011;100(6):851-860. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02235.x
7. Skuse D, Printzlau F, Wolstencroft J. Sex chromosome aneuploidies. Handb Clin Neurol. 2018;147:355-376. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-63233-3.00024-5
8. Herlihy AS, Halliday JL, Cock ML, McLachlan RI. The prevalence and diagnosis rates of Klinefelter syndrome: an Australian comparison. Med J Aust. 2011;194(1):24-28. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2011.tb04141.x
9. Groth KA, Skakkebæk A, Høst C, Gravholt CH, Bojesen A. Clinical review: Klinefelter syndrome—a clinical update. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(1):20-30. doi:10.1210/jc.2012-2382
10. Davis S, Howell S, Wilson R, Tanda T, Ross J, Zeitler P, Tartaglia N. Advances in the interdisciplinary care of children with Klinefelter syndrome. Adv Pediatr. 2016;63(1):15-46. doi:10.1016/j.yapd.2016.04.020
11. Aksglaede L, Davis SM, Ross JL, Juul A. Minipuberty in Klinefelter syndrome: current status and future directions. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2020;184(2):320-326. doi:10.1002/ajmg.c.31794
12. Aksglaede L, Skakkebaek NE, Almstrup K, Juul A. Clinical and biological parameters in 166 boys, adolescents and adults with nonmosaic Klinefelter syndrome: a Copenhagen experience. Acta Paediatr. 2011;100(6):793-806. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02246.x
13. Cederlöf M, Ohlsson Gotby A, Larsson H, Serlachius E, Boman M, Långström N, Landén M, Lichtenstein P. Klinefelter syndrome and risk of psychosis, autism and ADHD. J Psychiatr Res. 2014;48(1):128-130. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.10.001
14. Tartaglia N, Cordeiro L, Howell S, Wilson R, Janusz J. The spectrum of the behavioral phenotype in boys and adolescents 47,XXY (Klinefelter syndrome). Pediatr Endocrinol Rev. 2010;8(Suppl 1):151-159. doi:10.1515/per-2010-151 (PMCID: PMC3740580, PMID: 21217607)
15. Tanner M, Miettinen PJ, Hero M, Toppari J, Raivio T. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2022;96(3):363-370. doi:10.1111/cen.14588. Epub 2021 Sep 14. PMID: 34523156
16. Butler G, Srirangalingam U, Faithfull J, Sangster P, Senniappan S, Mitchell R. Klinefelter syndrome: going beyond the diagnosis. Arch Dis Child. 2023;108(3):166-171. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2020-320831. Epub 2022 Aug 10. PMID: 35948402; PMCID: PMC7614197.
17. Bonomi M, Rochira V, Pasquali D, Balercia G, Jannini EA, Ferlin A; Klinefelter ItaliaN Group (KING). Klinefelter syndrome (KS): genetics, clinical phenotype and hypogonadism. J Endocrinol Invest. 2017;40(2):123-134. doi:10.1007/s40618-016-0541-6. Epub 2016 Sep 19. PMID: 27644703; PMCID: PMC5269463.
18. Butler G. Incidence of gynaecomastia in Klinefelter syndrome adolescents and outcome of testosterone treatment. Eur J Pediatr. 2021;180(10):3201-3207. doi:10.1007/s00431-021-04083-2. Epub 2021 May 2. PMID: 33934233.
19. Høst C, Skakkebæk A, Groth KA, Bojesen A. The role of hypogonadism in Klinefelter syndrome. Asian J Androl. 2014;16(2):185-191. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.122201.
20. Plotton I, Renault L, Lapoirie M, et al. Fertility in men with Klinefelter's syndrome. Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2022;83(3):172-176. doi:10.1016/j.ando.2022.05.002.
21. Palermo GD, et al. Births after intracytoplasmic injection of sperm obtained by testicular extraction from men with nonmosaic Klinefelter’s syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1998;338(9):588-590.
22. Corona G, Pizzocaro A, Lanfranco F, Garolla A, Pelliccione F, Vignozzi L, et al; Klinefelter Italian Group (KING). Sperm recovery and ICSI outcomes in Klinefelter syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2017;23(3):265-275. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmx008.
23. Wikström AM, Dunkel L. Klinefelter syndrome. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;25(2):239-250. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2010.09.006
24. Aksglaede L, Link K, Giwercman A, Jørgensen N, Skakkebaek NE, Juul A. 47,XXY Klinefelter syndrome: clinical characteristics and age-specific recommendations for medical management. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2013;163C(1):55-63. doi:10.1002/ajmg.c.31349
25. Hawksworth DJ, Szafran AA, Jordan PW, Dobs AS, Herati AS. Infertility in Patients With Klinefelter Syndrome: Optimal Timing for Sperm and Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation. Rev Urol. 2018;20(2):56-62. doi:10.3909/riu0790
26. Maseroli E, Rastrelli G, Corona G, et al. Gynecomastia in subjects with sexual dysfunction. J Endocrinol Invest. 2014;37(6):525-532. doi:10.1007/s40618-014-0055-z
27. Aksglaede L, Christiansen P, Sørensen K, et al. Serum concentrations of Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) in 95 patients with Klinefelter syndrome with or without cryptorchidism. Acta Paediatr. 2011;100(6):839-845. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02148.x
28. Zhang B, Lu BY, Yu B, et al. Noninvasive prenatal screening for fetal common sex chromosome aneuploidies from maternal blood. J Int Med Res. 2017;45(2):621-630. doi:10.1177/0300060517695008
29. Swanson K, Bishop JC, Al-Kouatly HB, et al. Prenatal phenotype of 47, XXY (Klinefelter syndrome). Prenat Diagn. 2023;43(2):207-212. doi:10.1002/pd.6071
30. Butler G, Srirangalingam U, Faithfull J, Sangster P, Senniappan S, Mitchell R. Klinefelter syndrome: going beyond the diagnosis. Arch Dis Child. 2023;108(3):166-171. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2020-320831
31. Flannigan R, Patel P, Paduch DA. Klinefelter Syndrome. The Effects of Early Androgen Therapy on Competence and Behavioral Phenotype. Sex Med Rev. 2018;6(4):595-606. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.02.008
32. British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes. Revised BSPED testosterone guideline v3. 2023. Accessed March 12, 2026. https://www.bsped.org.uk/media/1987/revised-bsped-testosterone-guideline-v3.pdf
33. Zitzmann M, Aksglaede L, Corona G, Isidori AM, Juul A, T’Sjoen G, Kliesch S, D’Hauwers K, Toppari J, Słowikowska-Hilczer J, Tüttelmann F, Ferlin A; European Academy of Andrology Guidelines on Klinefelter Syndrome Endorsing Organization: European Society of Endocrinology. Andrology. 2021;9(1):145-167. doi:10.1111/andr.12909
34. Wang Y, Li S, Wang W, et al. Cell-free DNA screening for sex chromosome aneuploidies by non-invasive prenatal testing in maternal plasma. Mol Cytogenet. 2020;13:10. Published 2020 Mar 12. doi:10.1186/s13039-020-0478-5
35. Badeau M, Lindsay C, Blais J, et al. Genomics-based non-invasive prenatal testing for detection of fetal chromosomal aneuploidy in pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;11(11):CD011767. Published 2017 Nov 10. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011767.pub2
36. California Department of Public Health, Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Prenatal Screening Program. Prenatal Screening Result and Klinefelter Syndrome [booklet]. California Department of Public Health; 2024. Available at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DGDS/CDPH%20Document%20Library/PNS%20Documents/Klinefelter_Syndrome_Screen_Positive_Booklet_English.pdf
37. Rohayem J, Nieschlag E, Zitzmann M, Kliesch S. Testicular function during puberty and young adulthood in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome with and without spermatozoa in seminal fluid. Andrology. 2016;4(6):1178-1186. doi:10.1111/andr.12249
38. Franik S, Hoeijmakers Y, D'Hauwers K, et al. Klinefelter syndrome and fertility: sperm preservation should not be offered to children with Klinefelter syndrome. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(9):1952-1959. doi:10.1093/humrep/dew179
39. Plotton I, Giscard d'Estaing S, Cuzin B, et al. Preliminary results of a prospective study of testicular sperm extraction in young versus adult patients with nonmosaic 47,XXY Klinefelter syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(3):961-967. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-3083
40. Groth KA, Skakkebæk A, Høst C, Gravholt CH, Bojesen A. Clinical review: Klinefelter syndrome--a clinical update. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(1):20-30. doi:10.1210/jc.2012-2382
41. Pizzocaro A, Vena W, Condorelli R, Radicioni A, Rastrelli G, Pasquali D, Selice R, Ferlin A, Foresta C, Jannini EA, Maggi M, Lenzi A, Pivonello R, Isidori AM, Garolla A, Francavilla S, Corona G, King XX; Klinefelter Italian Group. Testosterone treatment in male patients with Klinefelter syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Endocrinol Invest. 2020. doi:10.1007/s40618-020-01390-9
42. Corona G, Pizzocaro A, Lanfranco F, et al. Sperm recovery and ICSI outcomes in Klinefelter syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2017;23(3):265-275. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmx008
43. Chang S, Skakkebaek A, Davis SM, Gravholt CH. Morbidity in Klinefelter syndrome and the effect of testosterone treatment. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2020;184(2):344-355. doi:10.1002/ajmg.c.31798
44. Jørgensen IN, Skakkebaek A, Andersen NH, et al. Short QTc interval in males with klinefelter syndrome-influence of CAG repeat length, body composition, and testosterone replacement therapy. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2015;38(4):472-482. doi:10.1111/pace.12580
45. Zitzmann M, Bongers R, Werler S, et al. Gene expression patterns in relation to the clinical phenotype in Klinefelter syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(3):E518-E523. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-2780
46. Skakkebæk A, Wallentin M, Gravholt CH. Anxiety and depression in Klinefelter syndrome: the impact of personality and social engagement. PLOS One. 2018;13(11):e0206932. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0206932.
47. Cederlöf M, Ohlsson Gotby A, Larsson H, et al. Klinefelter syndrome and risk of psychosis, autism and ADHD. J Psychiatr Res. 2014;48(1):128-130. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.10.001
48. Ottesen AM, Aksglaede L, Garn I, et al. Increased number of sex chromosomes affects height in a nonlinear fashion: a study of 305 patients with sex chromosome aneuploidy. Am J Med Genet A. 2010;152A(5):1206-1212. doi:10.1002/ajmg.a.33334
49. Rohayem J, Nieschlag E, Zitzmann M, Kliesch S. Testicular function during puberty and young adulthood in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome with and without spermatozoa in seminal fluid. Andrology. 2016;4(6):1178-1186. doi:10.1111/andr.12249
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Katarzyna Kupczyk, Mikhail Kazachok, Szymon Paruszewski, Aleksandra Dybcio, Mikołaj Jońca, Natasza Kurys, Dorota Szydłowska, Adam Kubisa, Mateusz Miluski, Julia Kupczak

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The periodical offers access to content in the Open Access system under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 8
Number of citations: 0