Note that there are also perfectly normal reasons why your baby may lose interest in playing. Try getting some new toys to spark their interest in playing again. Also, your baby can get overwhelmed by having too many toys and start ignoring them. Try removing some and leaving only a few behind. [2] X Research source
Loss of social interaction is one of the main reasons that Rett Syndrome is sometimes mistaken for autism. At this early stage, it may be difficult to diagnose your child effectively.
Signs of hypotonia include children being unable to support their head because of weak neck muscles, arms and legs hanging straight down, and being unable to pick up objects. [5] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Your child may also display poor sucking ability or a weak cry because their neck and mouth muscles aren’t strong enough to perform these actions properly.
On average, babies at 6. 5 months should have skulls between 40 centimetres (16 in) to 45 centimetres (18 in). You can check the CDC’s full head growth chart for every age at https://www. cdc. gov/growthcharts/html_charts/hcageinf. htm#females. Measuring your child’s skull properly can be difficult. For an accurate measurement, let your pediatrician do this.
Motor function after this point will vary from child to child. Some children stop crawling but can still sit upright. Some are nearly paralyzed. Most of these issues can be treated with a wheelchair later in life. Sometimes a child doesn’t lose all motor functions. Instead, they may be unable to balance properly when trying to walk. The important symptom is that the disturbance of motor functions is sudden, even if the loss is not total. [8] X Research source You may also notice subtle and alternating hand movements that appear purposeful, such as licking one’s hands or grasping clothing and hair.
These bouts of crying can last for hours without stopping. The child probably won’t respond to anything you try to make the crying stop.
This symptom can occur at any point, but usually first appears during the stagnation stage. Older children may also compulsively wash their hands, if they are mobile enough to make it to a sink.
There are a few ways to check your child’s breathing. Lightly place your hand on their chest to see if it rises at a regular rate. Also count their breaths per minute. An average breathing rate for a child under 1 year is 30-60 breaths per minute. If it is greater than this, your child may be hyperventilating. [12] X Research source The breathing problems often cease while the child is asleep, but shallow breathing and periodic breathing can still occur during sleep. Call your doctor at any sign of respiratory distress, even if you don’t suspect Rett Syndrome is the cause. [13] X Research source
If your child has started talking, most spoken language will suddenly stop. They may also stop making eye contact or acknowledging your presence entirely. Although, some children experience a brief period of recovery in nonverbal communication that is then followed by a slow deterioration of gross motor skills. Most children will regain the ability to make sounds like grunting, but won’t be able to form words. [15] X Research source
It will be scary if your child has a seizure, but you can respond effectively and help them through it. Most importantly, move away any objects that your baby could knock into during the seizure. Turn your child on their side to prevent choking, and then monitor their breathing until the seizure ends. [17] X Research source If your child does have a seizure, call your doctor right away. If this is your child’s first seizure, the doctor will probably instruct you to go to the hospital. Keep in mind that some behaviors can also be mistaken for seizures, such as holding their breath, wringing their hands, or hyperventilating.
It will be scary if your child has a seizure, but you can respond effectively and help them through it. Most importantly, move away any objects that your baby could knock into during the seizure. Turn your child on their side to prevent choking, and then monitor their breathing until the seizure ends. [17] X Research source If your child does have a seizure, call your doctor right away. If this is your child’s first seizure, the doctor will probably instruct you to go to the hospital. Keep in mind that some behaviors can also be mistaken for seizures, such as holding their breath, wringing their hands, or hyperventilating.
Keep track of all the symptoms you’ve noticed in your child and tell them to the doctor. The doctor will probably run their own tests, but your initial observations are important. Be aware that Rett syndrome is more common in girls and its onset is usually between the ages of 6 and 18 months. Symptoms of Rett may include a partial or complete loss of purposeful hand skills and spoken language, difficulty walking, repetitive hand movements, such as hand wringing, clapping, mouthing, and rubbing motions. [18] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Brain damage from a trauma or injury. Neurometabolic diseases like epilepsy or a seizure disorder. [20] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source A birth defect or deformity that causes brain damage or developmental disability. An infection that attacks the brain.
This test involves taking a small blood sample and sending it to a lab for assessment. If the lab finds a mutation in the MEPC2 gene, it confirms that your child has Rett Syndrome. [22] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Your doctor may prescribe medication to help with your child’s breathing problems. Physical therapy may help improve your child’s muscle tone and motor function. Your child will probably need a wheelchair or other mobility aids.
