The Efficacy of Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients Affected by Rett Syndrome With Hypoventilation

Rett syndrome is a progressive neurological disorder associated to several comorbidities that contribute significantly to impair lung function. Respiratory morbidity represents a major cause of death in this population. Little is known about the benefit of noninvasive ventilation.

We retrospectively enrolled patients with Rett syndrome who underwent a pneumological evaluation combined with a cardiorespiratory polygraphy and/or a pulse oximetry and capnography from 2012 to 2022.

Medical records of 11 patients with Rett syndrome, mean age 13 ± 6 years, were evaluated. Most patients presented with both epilepsy and scoliosis. Five patients showed a pathologic sleep study and/or impaired night gas exchange: mean obstructive apnea-hypopnea index was 4 ± 3 events/hour; mean and minimal SpO₂ were, respectively, 93% ± 2% and 83% ± 6%, while mean and maximal transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring (PtcCO₂) were, respectively, 51 ± 5 mm Hg and 55 ± 8 mm Hg; and mean oxygen desaturation index was 13 ± 11 events/hour. These patients started noninvasive ventilation with clinical benefit and improved gas exchange mostly in terms of PtcCO₂ (mean PtcCO₂ 51 ± 5 mm Hg before and 46 ± 6 mm Hg after noninvasive ventilation).

Noninvasive ventilation is a suitable option for patients with Rett syndrome.