Rett syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system that leads to severe developmental reversals. Studies have linked many Rett syndrome cases to a defect in the methl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene. This gene is on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes, so even when one has this significant defect, the other X chromosome is normal enough for the child to survive. However, males born with this defective gene do not have a second X chromosome to make up for the problem. Therefore, the defect usually results in miscarriage, stillbirth, or very early death.
The condition affects about 1 out of 10,000 female children born alive.
Currently there is no government funding for research on this disorder. There is a cure, but funding is essential to this research.