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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffRett syndrome is rare. It affects children of all races. The only known risk factor is having random genetic mutations known to cause the disease. In rare cases, inherited factors — for instance, having close family members with Rett syndrome — may play a role.
References
- Schultz RJ, et al. Rett syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 27, 2012.
- Smeets EE, et al. Rett syndrome. Molecular Syndromology. 2012;2:113.
- Rett syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/rett-syndrome. Accessed Aug. 27, 2012.
- 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.
- 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.
- Neul JL, et al. Rett syndrome: Revised diagnostic criteria and nomenclature. Annals of Neurology. 2010;68:944.
- Lotan M. Alternative therapeutic intervention for individuals with Rett syndrome. The Scientific World Journal. 2007;29:698.
- Percy AK. Rett syndrome: Exploring the autism link. Archives of Neurology. 2011;68:985.
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