Male Rett syndrome variant: application of diagnostic criteria.
Author: Jan MM, Dooley JM, Gordon KE
Source:
Pediatric neurology, 20(3), 238-240.
Classic Rett syndrome (RS) has been described in females only. Although an X
chromosome origin is probable, it has not been substantiated. It is possible,
therefore, that RS could occur in males. The authors describe a male with RS and
review all the reported cases involving male patients. The authors compare their
patient to the other patients and examine the applicability of the classic RS
diagnostic criteria to this variant. To date, nine male patients with RS have
been reported. The authors describe an additional male who met seven of nine
necessary criteria and six of eight supportive criteria as defined by the RS
Diagnostic Criteria Work Group. When the authors applied these criteria to the
other nine reported patients, many necessary inclusion criteria were not met
despite the absence of exclusion criteriThe supportive criteria were even more
variable and limited in many patients. In conclusion, males with RS appear to
represent a heterogeneous phenotype, with clinical features that may meet many
but not all of the necessary diagnostic criteria of classic RS. Less restrictive
criteria are needed to include this variant, which should be considered when
evaluating males with idiopathic developmental regression, autistic features, and
loss of hand function.