The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between breathing, heart rate and oxygenation in girls with Rett syndrome compared with girls who do not have Rett syndrome. Those systems function automatically in healthy children, but appear to malfunction in children with Rett syndrome. The study seeks to determine whether children with Rett syndrome have certain symptoms both awake and asleep. By studying waveforms recorded noninvasively in each child’s own home during a 48-hour period (two hours per day for two days and two full nights), we will establish whether children with Rett syndrome experience symptoms associated with a malfunctioning of the autonomic nervous system. Once identified, we will be able to better understand the function of the autonomic nervous system and propose intervention strategies specific to children with Rett syndrome.  

• Diagnosed with Rett syndrome with documented genetic mutation, or no diagnosis or Rett syndrome but are of the same age, race and gender of the participants with Rett
• Female
• Between two and six years of age