Rett syndrome is a rare and devastating neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts nearly every aspect of an individual’s life, including their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe. Rett is a genetic disorder caused by a spontaneous pathogenic variant in the MECP2 gene. When the MECP2 gene does not function properly, it can cause issues throughout the entire body, leaving individuals understanding more than they can communicate.

 

Every individual with Rett is unique and so are their symptoms which begin as early as 6 months old when parents see their child miss development milestones and lose abilities they had already gained. Though Rett occurs most often in females (approximately 1 in 10,000 births), boys can have Rett too.

​

Source: https://www.rettsyndrome.org/