[Rett's syndrome--differential diagnosis of autism in a case report]

In this paper, a rare neurological disorder seen exclusively in girls is described. According to its progress and clinical behaviour, a syndrome resembles autism. The disease was reported in 1966 by A. Rett from Vienna. The syndrome often remains unrecognized because of its low incidence or is mistaken for autism, mental retardation and cerebral paralysis. The table of differential diagnosis of this disease in relation to autism is given. We report on a 5-year-old girl from Zrenjanin who was admitted to the Division for Autism, Psychiatric Hospital Jankomir, Zagreb. The diagnosis of Rett's syndrome was established in this patient whose initial description documented autism. The medications have shown to be without effect, except anticonvulsive drugs and ketogenic diet. Physical, occupational and musical therapy as well as hydrotherapy were applied.