How many people are effected by Fragile X syndrome?
Currently, researchers don’t know exactly how many people have either the full mutation or the premutation form of the FMR1 gene. Even though researchers can estimate the number of people affected by Fragile X, these estimates can be very different. A summary of existing research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2001 estimated that approximately one in 3,500 to 8,900 males is affected by the full mutation of the FMR1 gene, and that one in 1,000 males has the premutation form of the FMR1 gene. This study also estimated that one in 250 to 500 females in the general population has the premutation. Another study estimated that one in 4,000 females is affected by the full mutation. Although these estimates are useful in trying to understand the impact of Fragile X on various communities, keep in mind that these numbers are only the best estimates based on the available information. Many factors can affect the completeness and/or accuracy of the available inform
