Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms  syndrome can occur during the first few weeks of therapy with minocycline.Minocycline, but not other tetracyclines, can cause vestibular disturbances with dizziness, ataxia, vertigo, and tinnitus. These effects are thought to be related to minocyclines greater penetration into the central nervous system. Vestibular side effects are much more common in women than in men, occurring in 50 to 70% of women receiving minocycline. As a result of the frequency of this bothersome side effect, minocycline is rarely used in female patients.Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing. Minocycline has also been reported to very rarely cause idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), a side effect also more common in female patients, potentially leading to permanent vision damage if not recognized early and treated. Contrary to most other tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline excluded), minocycline may be used in those with kidney disease, but may aggravate systemic lupus erythematosus. It may also trigger or unmask autoimmune hepatitis.Minocycline can cause the rare condition of secondary intracranial hypertension, which has initial symptoms of headache, visual disturbances, dizziness, vomiting, and confusion. Brain swelling and rheumatoid arthritis are rare side effects of minocycline in some people.Minocycline, like most tetracyclines, becomes dangerous past its expiration date. While most prescription drugs lose potency after their expiration dates, tetracyclines are known to become toxic over time. Expired tetracyclines can cause serious damage to the kidney due to the formation of a degradation product, anhydro-4-epitetracycline.
A positive test for the MECP2 mutation is not enough to make a diagnosis.Ruling in
Decreased or loss of use of fine motor skills
Decreased or loss of verbal speech
Abnormalities during gait
Repetitive hand movements such as wringing/squeezing or clapping/tappingRuling out
Traumatic or anoxic/hypoxic brain injury, neurometabolic disease, or severe infection that may better explain symptoms
Abnormal psychomotor development during the first six months of lifeSupportive criteria
Breathing disturbances when awake
Bruxism while awake
Impaired sleep pattern
Abnormal muscle tone
Peripheral vasomotor disturbances
Scoliosis/kyphosis
Growth retardation
Small cold hands and feet
Inappropriate laughing/screaming spells
Diminished response to pain
Intense eye communication (eye pointing)

Differential diagnosis
Signs of Rett syndrome that are similar to autism:

Signs of Rett syndrome that are also present in cerebral palsy (regression of the type seen in Rett syndrome would be unusual in cerebral palsy; this confusion could rarely be made):

Treatment
Currently there is no cure for Rett syndrome. Treatment is directed towards improving function and addressing symptoms. A multi-disciplinary team approach is typically used to treat the person throughout life. This team may include primary care physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, nutritionist, and support services in academic and occupational settings. Some children may require special equipment and aids such as braces to arrest scoliosis, splints to modify hand movements, and nutritional programs to help them maintain adequate weight.Because of the increased risk of sudden cardiac death, when long QT syndrome is found on an annual screening EKG it is treated with an anti-arrhythmic such as a beta-blocker.