Psychiatric difficulties in females with fragile X syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analyses - Report - MDSpire

Psychiatric difficulties in females with fragile X syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analyses

  • By

  • Lauren Jenner

  • Christina Koenig

  • Rachel M. Hantman

  • Abigail L. Hogan

  • Jane E. Roberts

  • Jessica Klusek

  • July 8, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Psychiatric Challenges in Women with Fragile X Syndrome

Background

Fragile X syndrome is the most common monogenic cause of autism, yet research has predominantly focused on males, leaving a gap in understanding the female phenotype. Females with FXS exhibit a wide range of psychiatric difficulties, including anxiety and depression.

Data Highlights

Psychiatric ConditionPrevalence
Anxiety57%
Depression41%
ADHD33%
Aggression20%
Self-injury14%

Key Findings

  • Females with FXS show a high prevalence of psychiatric difficulties, particularly anxiety and depression.
  • Meta-analysis revealed 57% prevalence of anxiety and 41% prevalence of depression among females with FXS.
  • Co-occurring autism is associated with greater psychiatric vulnerability in females with FXS.
  • Intellectual ability did not show consistent associations with psychiatric difficulties.
  • Research on females with FXS is significantly underrepresented compared to males, with a ratio of approximately 4:1.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence of psychiatric conditions in females with FXS.

Conclusion

Females with FXS exhibit a marked vulnerability to psychiatric difficulties.

Related Resources & Content

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, 2023 -- Health Supervision for Children With Fragile X Syndrome
  2. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2026 -- Psychiatric Difficulties in Females with Fragile X Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
  3. Brain — Modelling fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders in young inducible 90CGG premutation mice
  4. Brain — Bringing fragile X-associated neuropsychiatric disorders into the phenotypic fold of premutation conditions
  5. Frontiers in Psychiatry — Editorial: Psychiatric insights in genetic and chromosomal disorders
  6. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism — Psychiatric Considerations in Differences of Sex Development: Gaps in Current Understanding
  7. Health Supervision for Children With Fragile X Syndrome | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
  8. Frontiers | Psychiatric Difficulties in Females with Fragile X Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
  9. Clinical Trial Designs for Rare Disorders: A Scoping Review of the Effectiveness of Pharmacologic Interventions in Fragile X Syndrome - PMC

Original Source(s)

Psychiatric difficulties in females with fragile X syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analyses

  • by Lauren Jenner, Christina Koenig, Rachel M. Hantman, Abigail L. Hogan, Jane E. Roberts, Jessica Klusek

  • July 8, 2026

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