A national survey of Rett syndrome: behavioural characteristics.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to gain a UK national sample of people with Rett syndrome (RTT) across the age range and compare their characteristics using a variety of relevant behavioural measures with a well-chosen contrast group.


METHODS
The achieved sample was 91 girls and women, aged from 4 to 47 years, of whom 71 were known to be MECP2 positive. The contrast group (n = 66), matched for age, gender, language and self-help skills, comprised individuals with six other syndromes associated with intellectual disability. Parental questionnaire measures of RTT specific characteristics, impulsivity, overactivity, mood, interest and pleasure, repetitive behaviour and self-injury were administered.


RESULTS
Hand stereotypies, breathing irregularities, night-time unrest and anxiety or inappropriate fear were commonly reported among the RTT sample. Problems of low mood were also reported as common. However, mood and interest and pleasure were no lower than found in the contrast group. In addition, self-injury was lower than in the contrast group and was associated with factors found to predict self-injury in other groups of people with severe intellectual disabilities.


CONCLUSIONS
There is variability in the manifestation of problem behaviours potentially associated with the syndrome across individuals, with some more severely affected in most areas than others. Some of this variability appears to be underpinned by genetic mutation.
Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, 2nd floor Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
Rina
R
Cianfaglione
Institute of Cancer & Genetics, Cardiff University, Institute of Medical Genetics Building, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN UK.
Angus
A
Clarke
Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, 2nd floor Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
Michael
M
Kerr
Centre for Educational Development Appraisal and Research, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK.
Richard P
RP
Hastings
Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
Chris
C
Oliver
Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
Jo
J
Moss
Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK.
Mary
M
Heald
Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, 2nd floor Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
David
D
Felce
Behavioural characteristics; Great Britain; Intellectual disabilities; Rett syndrome