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Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a rare genetic disease that causes developmental and nervous system problems, mostly in girls. It's related to autism spectrum disorder. Babies with Rett syndrome seem to grow and develop normally at first. Between 3 months and 3 years of age, though, they stop developing and even lose some skills. Symptoms include:

  • Loss of speech
  • Loss of hand movements such as grasping
  • Compulsive movements such as hand wringing
  • Balance problems
  • Breathing problems
  • Behavior problems
  • Learning problems or intellectual disability

Rett syndrome has no cure. You can treat some of the symptoms with medicines, surgery, and physical and speech therapy. Most people with Rett syndrome live into middle age and beyond. They will usually need care throughout their lives.

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Results 1 - 10 of 303 for rett syndrome
  1. Rett Syndrome (National Library of Medicine)  
    Rett syndrome is a rare genetic disease that causes developmental and nervous system problems, mostly in girls. It's related to autism spectrum disorder. Babies with Rett syndrome seem to grow and develop normally at first. ...
  2. 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 ...
  3. Rett syndrome (RTT) is a disorder of the nervous system. This condition leads to developmental problems in children. ... provide more information and support for people with Rett syndrome and their families: International Rett Syndrome Foundation -- www. ...
  4. Rett Syndrome From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)  
    Rett Syndrome/Start Here ... Rett Syndrome ... National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ... From the National Institutes of Health ... Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental ...
  5. What Causes Rett Syndrome? From the National Institutes of Health (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)  
    Most cases of Rett syndrome are caused by a change (also called a mutation) in a single gene.
  6. What Are the Symptoms of Rett Syndrome? From the National Institutes of Health (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)  
    The first symptom of Rett syndrome is usually the loss of muscle tone, called hypotonia. With hypotonia, an infant's arms and legs will appear "floppy."
  7. Rett Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)  
    Rett Syndrome/Start Here ... Rett Syndrome ... Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
  8. How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Rett Syndrome? From the National Institutes of Health (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)  
    ... has one of the known mutations that cause Rett syndrome.
  9. Rett Syndrome: Overview From the National Institutes of Health (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)  
    Rett syndrome is a neurological and developmental genetic disorder that occurs mostly in females. Infants with Rett syndrome seem to grow and develop normally at first, ...
  10. What Are the Types and Phases of Rett Syndrome? From the National Institutes of Health (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)  
    There are two main types of Rett syndrome: classic and atypical. The two types may differ by their symptoms or by the specific gene mutation.
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