- Henry Engel is the first of the 2 children of journalists Richard Engel and Mary Forrest
- The 9 years old was diagnosed with a rare genetic neurological disorder, Rett Syndrome when he was about 2 years old in 2017
- The special need Henry’s condition has worsened to dystonia – involuntary repetitive movements
Henry Engel has been battling a neurological disorder, Rett Syndrome which affects the way the brain develops. The condition also led to dystonia, an uncontrolled shaking/stiffness. He nonetheless has drawn attention for being the son of Richard Engel, a multi-award-winning TV personality.
Young Engel’s father is currently the chief foreign correspondent for NBC News.
What to Know About His Rare Condition
How The Condition of Henry was Discovered
When Henry was an infant Richard and his wife Mary noticed that their child was not as should. After several medical examinations, the doctors made a discovery he had Rett Syndrome caused by a mutation in his MECP2 gene.
The exact date that the condition of the young boy may have started is not certain but it was in 2017, 2 years after his birth that his father who has covered many wars in the middle east announced it.
Regardless, most children who suffer from the condition are said to live normal lives from the time of birth to about 6 months after. Some things they could normally do at their earliest time become difficult for them.
The Condition of Henry Engel Mostly Affects Girls But Causes Boys to Suffer More When Affected
Rett Syndrome is said mostly affect girls and shows itself mostly when they are about a year old. The genetic disorder is located on the “X” chromosome and girls have double of it.
However, when boys have the disorder, it is said to be more severe and show earlier in their lives. they have only an X chromosome and a Y chromosome.
The other X chromosome in girls includes regulating the activity of other genes which is the main reason why the symptoms of Rett are suppressed in them as compared to males who have a Y.
How and Why the Condition of Henry Engel Worsened
For everyone following Henry’s story, unfortunately he’s taken a turn for the worse. His condition progressed and he’s developed dystonia: uncontrolled shaking/ stiffness. He was in the hospital for 6 weeks, but is now home and getting love from brother Theo. pic.twitter.com/7atwNPhJ6q
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) May 31, 2022
Henry’s condition worsened and his multi-lingual father who speaks 5 languages including Arabic confirmed it on social media. The disorder developed into dystonia – uncontrolled shaking and stiffness caused by abnormal iron accumulation in a particular part of the brain.
The worsening of the disorder that affects the brain left Henry in the hospital for about 6 weeks before her return home.
Prior to that, the younger Engel was said to be lacking a conductor gene in 2019. In 2020, he said to have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 since he had to stay at home and not interact with other children since the only place he got to interact with other children was in school.
At the school, he had children who supported him with kisses, play with his hair, and hand him toys.
Can The 9 Years Old’s Condition be Cured?
At the time of this writing, there is no known cure for the ailment Rett which is classified as an autism spectrum disorder. However, there are ways that doctors have devised to help suppress some symptoms.
In the case of Henry, the Texas Children’s Hospital has reported that the Zoghbi lab conducts tests to get drugs that can increase methyl CpG binding protein 2 (a gene that encodes the protein MeCP2).
As a part of their findings, it is recorded that the team carrying out the research to help the little boy described as Mr. Handsome has found out that mice with MECP2 could learn normally after using implantable electrodes.
See Also: Alexandra Gibb – 5 Facts About The TV Personality
Other Interesting Facts About Henry and Rett Syndrome
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- The young Henry is surrounded by love from his parents and younger sibling Theo who also takes care of him in little ways that matter
- The syndrome leads to symptoms like motor problems, cognitive disability, growth defects, and in some cases, seizures
- For the age expectancy of people living with Rett Syndrome, it is reported that almost all patients reach the age of 10, about 90% can reach 20, and about 50% get to 50 and in some cases reach 80
- The disease could lead the death which may be a result of seizures, pneumonia, malnutrition, and accident
- Many people suffering from the same condition as Henry do not verbally communicate but they can point to things and communicate through their eyes
