Did you know that Rett Syndrome comes in stages? The first stage is called Early Onset. The second, Rapid Destruction, the third, pseudo-stationary, and the fourth, late motor deterioration.
The early onset stage is often overlooked. This is the stage between 6 months and 18 months. The symptoms are barely appearing and development is only slowing, not regressing. Usually this stage only lasts a few months but has been known to last a year in some cases.
The rapid destructive stage is also known regression. This is one of the most heart wrenching stages. This stage happens usually between one year and four years of age. This is the stage where little girls lose skills, they stop speaking, stop walking in some cases, start hand mouthing. Breathing irregularities and disrupted sleeping patterns may occur and the girls head growth slows.
The stage after regression is called the pseudo-stationary stage, also known as the plateau stage. This is the stage that many girls live for the rest of their lives in. The plateau stage is the stage in which issues like seizures and scoliosis begin. Even though this may come with other medical issues girls usually begin to level out in this stage. They show less irritablity, improvment in behavior, and more medical stability.
The fourth stage of Rett Syndrome is called the late motor deterioration stage. This stage can cause things like muscle weakness, dystonia, or spacticity. Girls who were able to walk may stop. Hang wringing may stop and eye gaze continutes to strengthen.
No comments:
Post a Comment