10 Symptoms of Rett Syndrome

10. Gastrointestinal Problems

Rett Syndrome disrupts the entire digestive tract, and gastrointestinal problems affect most children with Rett Syndrome, starting with problems chewing and swallowing. They don't get the nutrition they need because of the issues they have getting food into the system. From here, the entire digestive system is disrupted by the lack of communication between the brain and the stomach muscles. The child may experience gastrointestinal reflux, bloating and constipation, and delayed stomach emptying, also called gastroparesis. Naturally, these digestive issues have an enormous impact on quality of life.