What is Rett syndrome?
Rett syndrome is a neurological and developmental disorder that mostly occurs in females. Infants with Rett syndrome seem to grow and develop normally at first, but then stop developing and even lose skills and abilities.For instance, they stop talking even though they used to say certain words. They lose their ability to walk properly. They stop using their hands to do things and often develop stereotyped hand movements, such as wringing, clapping, or patting their hands.
Rett syndrome is considered one of the autism spectrum disorders. Most cases of Rett syndrome are caused by a mutation on the MECP2 gene, which is found on the X chromosome.
Rett syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects brain growth. Occurring almost exclusively in girls, this disorder produces severe autism-like symptoms.
Babies with Rett syndrome typically have no signs or symptoms during the first six months of life. Between the ages of 6 months and 18 months, however, they stop improving their speech and hand skills and begin to lose ground generally.
Caused by a mutated gene, Rett syndrome occurs in about one in 23,000 births. Boys who inherit this mutated gene usually don't survive infancy.
There is no cure for Rett syndrome, but therapy helps some affected children improve their functional motor and communication skills.
