Rett syndrome

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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complications of Rett syndrome include:

  • Movement problems (motor dysfunction), such as irregular hand movements and difficulty walking
  • Unusual sleep patterns — such as falling asleep during the day or waking up at night
  • Seizures
  • Difficulty eating, leading to poor nutrition and delayed growth
  • Constipation, which can be a severe and long-term, ongoing problem
  • Life-threatening heart rhythms (cardiac dysrhythmias)
  • Thin, fragile bones prone to fractures
  • Scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine), which may require surgery if it's severe
  • Shortened life span — people with Rett syndrome don't live as long as most people because of heart problems and other health complications
Preparing for your appointment Risk factors
References
  1. Schultz RJ, et al. Rett syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 27, 2012.
  2. Smeets EE, et al. Rett syndrome. Molecular Syndromology. 2012;2:113.
  3. Rett syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/rett-syndrome. Accessed Aug. 27, 2012.
  4. Disorders usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adolescence. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Aug. 28, 2012.
  5. Rett syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/rett/detail_rett.htm. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
  6. Neul JL, et al. Rett syndrome: Revised diagnostic criteria and nomenclature. Annals of Neurology. 2010;68:944.
  7. Lotan M. Alternative therapeutic intervention for individuals with Rett syndrome. The Scientific World Journal. 2007;29:698.
  8. Percy AK. Rett syndrome: Exploring the autism link. Archives of Neurology. 2011;68:985.
DS00716 Oct. 4, 2012

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