Harry Klinefelter

Harry Klinefelter was an American endocrinologist best known for his identification and description of Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic condition affecting males.

Early Life and Education

Harry Klinefelter was born on March 20, 1912, in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Johns Hopkins University, where he earned his medical degree in 1937. During his time at Johns Hopkins, Klinefelter developed an interest in endocrinology, the branch of medicine that deals with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions known as hormones.

Career

After completing his medical degree, Klinefelter joined the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked under the mentorship of Dr. Fuller Albright, a pioneer in the field of endocrinology. It was during his tenure at Massachusetts General Hospital that Klinefelter made his most significant contribution to medical science.

Klinefelter Syndrome

In 1942, Klinefelter, along with Dr. Albright and Dr. E. C. Reifenstein, published a paper describing a group of nine men who exhibited a set of symptoms including small testes, enlarged breasts, and sparse facial and body hair. This condition was later named Klinefelter syndrome in his honor. Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra X chromosome in males (47,XXY instead of the typical 46,XY).

Later Life and Legacy

Klinefelter continued his work in endocrinology and made several other contributions to the field. He held various academic and clinical positions throughout his career, including a faculty position at Harvard Medical School. Klinefelter passed away on February 20, 1990, but his legacy lives on through the continued study and treatment of Klinefelter syndrome.

See Also

• Endocrinology
• Genetic disorders
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Johns Hopkins University
• Harvard Medical School