Hair copper and zinc concentrations in the Rett syndrome.

The hair copper and zinc concentrations in patients with the Rett syndrome in 9 hospitals or institutions, and female age-matched controls were investigated. The copper and zinc concentrations in the 23 patients were 15.1 +/- 3.6 and 177 +/- 20 micrograms/g dry weight (mean +/- SD), respectively, and those in the 22 controls were 14.7 +/- 3.4 and 181 +/- 22, respectively. No significant differences were detected between the copper or zinc concentrations in the patients and controls. The copper and zinc concentrations did not change with age, or the hospital or institution. The ratio of the copper and zinc concentrations was also constant. We conclude that the hair copper and zinc concentrations in patients with the Rett syndrome are the same as those in controls.