Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder found almost exclusively in females, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 15,000 females between the ages of 5 and 18 years. Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation of the MECP2 gene.
Infants and children with the disorder usually develop normally until approximately age 6 to 18 months, but after this time their development slows down and they may lose skills they had previously learned (‘developmental regression’). Epilepsy eventually happens in 9 out of 10 children, and various types of seizures may be experienced.
For more information about Rett syndrome visit the Rett Syndrome New Zealand