Rett syndrome
Last updated 4 Apr 2023
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
- Audio Version
- Add to preferred sources on Google
Rett syndrome is a brain disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls. The most common form of the condition is known as classic Rett syndrome. After birth, girls with classic Rett syndrome have 6 to 18 months of apparently normal development before developing severe problems with language and communication, learning, coordination, and other brain functions. Early in childhood, affected girls lose purposeful use of their hands and begin making repeated hand wringing, washing, or clapping motions. They tend to grow more slowly than other children and about three-quarters have a small head size (microcephaly). Other signs and symptoms that can develop include breathing abnormalities, spitting or drooling, unusual eye movements such as intense staring or excessive blinking, cold hands and feet, irritability, sleep disturbances, seizures, and an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis).
Description
Rett syndrome is a brain disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls. The most common form of the condition is known as classic Rett syndrome. After birth, girls with classic Rett syndrome have 6 to 18 months of apparently normal development before developing severe problems with language and communication, learning, coordination, and other brain functions. Early in childhood, affected girls lose purposeful use of their hands and begin making repeated hand wringing, washing, or clapping motions. They tend to grow more slowly than other children and about three-quarters have a small head size (microcephaly). Other signs and symptoms that can develop include breathing abnormalities, spitting or drooling, unusual eye movements such as intense staring or excessive blinking, cold hands and feet, irritability, sleep disturbances, seizures, and an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis).
Researchers have described several variant or atypical forms of Rett syndrome, which can be milder or more severe than the classic form.
Rett syndrome is part of a spectrum of disorders with the same genetic cause. Other disorders on the spectrum include PPM-X syndrome, MECP2 duplication syndrome, and MECP2-related severe neonatal encephalopathy. These other conditions can affect males.
Inheritance patterns
The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: X-linked dominant. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.
Related genes
Other names
Autism-dementia-ataxia-loss of purposeful hand use syndrome
Rett disorder
Rett's disorder
Rett's syndrome
RTT
Related patient information and medicines
Patient information leaflet
Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes you to make involuntary movements or noises called tics. It tends to be associated with various other problems such as behavioural problems and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can often be well managed with psychological treatments and sometimes with medication. What is Tourette.
Patient information leaflet
Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome causes uncomfortable feelings in your legs. As a result, you have an urge to move your legs which gives temporary relief. Symptoms come on... Medication can ease symptoms if the condition is distressing. What is restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is sometimes called Willis-Ekbom disease after the doctors.
Patient information leaflet
Nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is a condition where the 'filters' in the kidney become 'leaky' and large amounts of protein leak from the blood into the urine. The main symptom is fluid retention (oedema) which is mainly due to the low protein level in the blood. Various diseases can cause nephrotic syndrome, some more serious than others. Nephrotic syndrome.
Patient information leaflet
Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome is a genetic condition that only affects girls. The most characteristic features of the syndrome are being short, having certain physical features (detailed below), and ovaries that do not work properly. Although there is no cure, there are treatments that can help most... What is Turner syndrome. Turner syndrome (TS) only occurs.
Patient information leaflet
Proctalgia fugax and anal pain
Proctalgia fugax is a fleeting pain in the anus. It lasts less than 20 minutes, with no symptoms whatsoever in between episodes. Levator ani syndrome is a pain which lasts for longer. Both are only diagnosed when no other cause is found. What is proctalgia fugax. Proctalgia fugax is one of a number of conditions which cause anal or rectal pain.
Patient information leaflet
Cervical rib
About 1 in 100 people are born with an extra rib called a cervical rib. About 1 in 10 people who have a cervical rib develop thoracic outlet syndrome. This happens if the cervical rib squashes the nerves and blood vessels going into the arm. Treatment can include painkillers, physiotherapy and sometimes surgery to relieve the compression caused.
Further reading and references
- Rett syndrome; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Chahrour M, Zoghbi HY. The story of Rett syndrome: from clinic to neurobiology. Neuron. 2007 Nov 8;56(3):422-37. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.10.001.
- Ehrhart F, Coort SL, Cirillo E, Smeets E, Evelo CT, Curfs LM. Rett syndrome - biological pathways leading from MECP2 to disorder phenotypes. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2016 Nov 25;11(1):158. doi: 10.1186/s13023-016-0545-5.
- Gold WA, Krishnarajy R, Ellaway C, Christodoulou J. Rett Syndrome: A Genetic Update and Clinical Review Focusing on Comorbidities. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2018 Feb 21;9(2):167-176. doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00346. Epub 2017 Dec 15.
- Neul JL, Kaufmann WE, Glaze DG, Christodoulou J, Clarke AJ, Bahi-Buisson N, Leonard H, Bailey ME, Schanen NC, Zappella M, Renieri A, Huppke P, Percy AK; RettSearch Consortium. Rett syndrome: revised diagnostic criteria and nomenclature. Ann Neurol. 2010 Dec;68(6):944-50. doi: 10.1002/ana.22124.
- Neul JL, Zoghbi HY. Rett syndrome: a prototypical neurodevelopmental disorder. Neuroscientist. 2004 Apr;10(2):118-28. doi: 10.1177/1073858403260995.
- Percy AK, Lane JB. Rett syndrome: model of neurodevelopmental disorders. J Child Neurol. 2005 Sep;20(9):718-21. doi: 10.1177/08830738050200090301.
- Samaco RC, Neul JL. Complexities of Rett syndrome and MeCP2. J Neurosci. 2011 Jun 1;31(22):7951-9. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0169-11.2011. No abstract available.
- Zoghbi HY. Rett syndrome: what do we know for sure? Nat Neurosci. 2009 Mar;12(3):239-40. doi: 10.1038/nn0309-239. No abstract available.
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts or experiences with others in our patient communities.
Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.
Sign up to the Patient newsletter
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.
By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.