Rett’s Disorder

Rett’s Disorder is a rare genetic disorder that affects the way the brain develops; it can be termed as atrophy (gradual shrinking of brain). It is found almost exclusively in girls.

Rett’s Disorder affects the grey matter of the brain. Babies who have Rett’s seem to develop normally at first.  Symptoms start to appear when the kid is between 6 to 18 months old. Some of the clinical features include small hands and feet, deceleration of the rate of head growth.

Although Rett’s disorder has no cure, but its continuous damage to the brain can be controlled and stopped alongside its behavioural symptoms.

• Severe language development problems
• Seizures
• Poor circulation of blood leading to cold and bluish arms and legs
• Loss of normal sleep patterns
• Brain growth slows after birth
• Loss of normal movement and coordination
• Loss of communication
• Abnormal body movements
• Aggressive behaviours
• Irritability

R, age 4 was brought to the clinic by her worried parents. R’s body structure is normal but her hands and feet are differentially small. She finds it hard to speak up or communicate with and often screams uncontrollably, when she wants something. She often stays awake at night and her performance at school is making it hard for her to continue with normal children and she has been recommended to shift to a special school. Her body coordination is poor as she drops objects from her hands, and has problems in walking straight. Her behaviour is sometimes aggressive, where she screams and cries excessively. R has been diagnosed with Rett’s syndrome and due to atrophy of brain, it has become incredibly difficult for her to do basic tasks, she is not developing like a normal child.