title: Rett syndrome: review and discussion of current diagnostic criteria.
abstract: Rett syndrome is a mental retardation syndrome that occurs only in females and consists of normal pre-, peri-, and neonatal growth and development. It is followed by rapid neurobehavioral deterioration in late infancy or early childhood, a developmental arrest, plateauing, and then either a course of retarded development or continued deterioration. The period of rapid neuro-behavioral deterioration manifests as a partial autistic syndrome, with loss of production and comprehension of language, hyperactivity, hyperventilation, hand-wringing, and ataxic gait. Current diagnostic criteria are discussed and suggestions for further research are presented.
authors.affiliation: Child Evaluation and Treatment Program, Medical Center Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burd
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Gascon
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D012737:Sex Factors; D013577:Syndrome