Oral findings in Rett syndrome: a systematic review of the dental literature

Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2011 Jan 1;16(1):e37-41. doi: 10.4317/medoral.16.e37.

Abstract

Rett syndrome (RS) is a chromosome X-linked genetic neurological disorder characterized by developmental regression, particularly in relation to expressive language and use of the hands, together with profound mental retardation, that almost exclusively affects females. The present review describes the 35 cases of RS published in the indexed literature (Medline)--the first corresponding to 1985 and the last to the year 2007. Certain oral manifestations of the disease are derived from the drug treatment prescribed to control the disease, while others are common to other clinical conditions characterized by convulsion activity, difficulties for correct oral hygiene, walking problems and/or an excess of oral/digital-manual habits. In any case, bruxism is the oral habit most frequently associated with RS--the treatment of which remains the subject of controversy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Bruxism / etiology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mouth Diseases / etiology*
  • Rett Syndrome / complications*