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J Med Genet 42:1-7 doi:10.1136/jmg.2004.027730
  • Review

Rett syndrome: clinical review and genetic update

Table 1

 Revised diagnostic criteria for classical and variant RS. Derived from tables 3 and 4 in the paper by Hagberg et al.8

Necessary criteria Supportive criteria Exclusion criteria
Classical RS Apparently normal prenatal and perinatal history Breathing disturbances while awake Bruxism Organomegaly or other evidence of a storage disorder
Psychomotor development normal during the first 6 months (may be delayed from birth) Impaired sleeping pattern from early infancy Abnormal muscle tone accompanied Retinopathy, cataract, or optic atrophy History of perinatal or postnatal brain damage
Normal head circumference at birth by muscle wasting and dystonia Identifiable inborn error of metabolism
Postnatal deceleration of head growth (most individuals) Abnormal muscle tone accompanied by muscle wasting and dystonia or neurodegenerative disorder Acquired neurological disorder due to
Loss of purposeful hand skills between 0.5–2.5 years Peripheral vasomotor disturbances Progressive scoliosis or kyphosis severe infection or head trauma
Stereotypic hand movements Growth retardation
Evolving social withdrawal, communication dysfunction, loss of acquired speech, cognitive impairment Hypotrophic small and cold feet and/or hands
Impaired or deteriorating locomotion
Variant RS At least 3 of the 6 main criteria Breathing irregularities
At least 5 of the 11 supportive criteria Air swallowing or abdominal bloating
Main criteria Bruxism
 Absence or reduction of hand skills Abnormal locomotion
 Reduction or loss of speech (including babble) Scoliosis or kyphosis
 Hand stereotypies Lower limb amyotrophy
 Reduction or loss of communication skills Cold, discoloured feet, usually hypotrophic
 Deceleration of head growth from early childhood Sleep disturbances, including night time screaming
 Regression followed by recovery of interaction Inexplicable episodes of laughing or screaming
Apparently diminished pain sensitivity
Intense eye contact and/or eye pointing

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