Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental (brain and nerve) disorder. Children with Rett syndrome appear to develop typically in the first year of life, but they lose the ability to use their hands purposefully. Other development then slows as they get older.

Rett syndrome causes developmental challenges throughout childhood. As children get older, these challenges stop progressing but do not go away. People with Rett syndrome may have challenges throughout their lives, although they can live to middle age or have close to a typical lifespan.

Who might get Rett syndrome?

Rett syndrome almost exclusively affects females. About 1 in every 10,000 to 15,000 baby girls are born with Rett syndrome. It affects babies of all racial and ethnic groups.