Which neurodevelopmental disorder includes a deceleration of head growth and small hands and feet?

Which neurodevelopmental disorder includes a deceleration of head growth and small hands and feet?

• A. Vitamin D-resistant rickets
• B. Rett syndrome
• C. Aicardi syndrome
• D. Incontinentia pigmenti

Answer: (B)

Rett syndrome is characterized by a deceleration of head growth, which is noticeable in the early childhood stages. In addition to this, individuals with Rett syndrome often exhibit small hands and feet as part of the spectrum of developmental challenges associated with the disorder. This condition primarily affects females and involves a period of normal development followed by a regression in skills. The way head growth deceleration occurs in Rett syndrome is linked to neurological changes that impact overall development, particularly affecting motor skills and hand function. The condition is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, which plays a crucial role in brain development and function. In contrast, other mentioned conditions may feature various symptoms, but they do not typically involve the specific combination of decelerated head growth along with small hands and feet as prominently seen in Rett syndrome. For example, Vitamin D-resistant rickets primarily affects bone density and structure without the neurodevelopmental implications, while Aicardi syndrome is associated with abnormalities in brain and eye development, and Incontinentia pigmenti involves skin and dental anomalies and is not characterized by the same growth patterns. Hence, the unique combination of symptoms leading to a diagnosis of Rett syndrome aligns with the described characteristics in the question.

Rett syndrome is characterized by a deceleration of head growth, which is noticeable in the early childhood stages. In addition to this, individuals with Rett syndrome often exhibit small hands and feet as part of the spectrum of developmental challenges associated with the disorder. This condition primarily affects females and involves a period of normal development followed by a regression in skills.

The way head growth deceleration occurs in Rett syndrome is linked to neurological changes that impact overall development, particularly affecting motor skills and hand function. The condition is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, which plays a crucial role in brain development and function.

In contrast, other mentioned conditions may feature various symptoms, but they do not typically involve the specific combination of decelerated head growth along with small hands and feet as prominently seen in Rett syndrome. For example, Vitamin D-resistant rickets primarily affects bone density and structure without the neurodevelopmental implications, while Aicardi syndrome is associated with abnormalities in brain and eye development, and Incontinentia pigmenti involves skin and dental anomalies and is not characterized by the same growth patterns. Hence, the unique combination of symptoms leading to a diagnosis of Rett syndrome aligns with the described characteristics in the question.