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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffRett syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects the way the brain develops. It occurs almost exclusively in girls.
Most babies with Rett syndrome develop normally at first, but symptoms start to surface after 6 months of age. Over time, children with Rett syndrome have increasing problems with movement, coordination and communication that may affect their ability to use their hands, communicate and walk.
Although there's no cure for Rett syndrome, potential treatments are being studied. Current Rett syndrome treatment focuses on improving movement and communication and providing care and support for affected children and their families.
- Shultz RJ, et al. Rett syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 14, 2010.
- What is Rett syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/upload/rett_syndrome_2006.pdf#page=6. Accessed May 14, 2010.
- Rett syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. U.S. National Library of Medicine. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=rettsyndrome. Accessed May 14, 2010.
- Rett syndrome. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Rett_Syndrome.cfm?renderforprint=1. Accessed May 13, 2010.
- Chahrour M, et al. The story of Rett syndrome: From clinic to neurobiology. Neuron. 2007;56:422.
- Hagberg B, et al. An update on clinically applicable diagnostic criteria in Rett syndrome. European Journal of Pediatric Neurology. 2002;6:293.
- Rett's Disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 8, 2010.
- Lotan M, et al. Management of young children with Rett disorder in the controlled multi-sensory (Snoezelen) environment. Brain & Development 2005;27:S88.
- Alternative therapeutic intervention for individuals with Rett syndrome. The Scientific World Journal. 2007;29:698.
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