Which statement about Rett syndrome is true?

Which statement about Rett syndrome is true?

• A. It affects males more than females.
• B. Intellectual development will not progress further.
• C. This is a temporary condition with full recovery.
• D. Early regression of language and motor skills with preserved social interaction.

Answer: (B)

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that almost exclusively affects females. After a period of near-normal development, children with Rett show regression in spoken language and purposeful hand skills, develop characteristic repetitive hand movements, and have slow head growth. Because this pattern centers on a loss of previously acquired skills with a stabilization after the regression, cognitive function tends not to continue progressing in the way seen with typical development. In other words, once the regression phase occurs, intellectual development plateaus and remains profoundly affected, which is why the statement about intellectual development not progressing further is the true description. The other statements don’t fit Rett syndrome as well: it is not more common in males (males are rare and often have a worse course), it is not temporary with full recovery, and although social interaction can be impacted, social skills are not preserved throughout the course.

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that almost exclusively affects females. After a period of near-normal development, children with Rett show regression in spoken language and purposeful hand skills, develop characteristic repetitive hand movements, and have slow head growth. Because this pattern centers on a loss of previously acquired skills with a stabilization after the regression, cognitive function tends not to continue progressing in the way seen with typical development. In other words, once the regression phase occurs, intellectual development plateaus and remains profoundly affected, which is why the statement about intellectual development not progressing further is the true description.

The other statements don’t fit Rett syndrome as well: it is not more common in males (males are rare and often have a worse course), it is not temporary with full recovery, and although social interaction can be impacted, social skills are not preserved throughout the course.