Richard Engel loses his six-year-old child to RETT syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. We forward our condolences to the journalist.
Henry Thomas Engel was the son of NBC journalist Richard Engel. The six-year-old had even battling Rett syndrome for a long time. Even though the disorder usually killed male babies within a year or two, Henry fought and survived for six years.
As confirmed by Richard on Twitter, his son died on August 9, 2022. He was just 6. The journalist’s next tweet said that the researchers were using his son’s cells to find a cure for the disease.
What Happened To Richard Engel Son Henry Thomas?
NBC’s chief foreign correspondent, Richard Engel, lost his six-year-old son to a rare genetic disorder.
His son, Henry Thomas Engel, was born with Rett Syndrome and had been battling the illness for the past six years. It was a minor medical miracle that he could survive for six years. The journalist shared the tragic news on Twitter.
“Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile, and a contagious giggle,” the journalist wrote on Twitter. He added, “We always surrounded him with love, and he returned it, and so much more. Mary and Richard.”
The report said his son died on August 9, 2022. He was born on September 29, 2015. May his departed soul rest in paradise.
What is RETT Syndrome? Genetic Disorder That Killed Richard Engel’s Son
Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects brain development. According to the Mayo Clinic, this disorder causes a progressive loss of motor skills and language.
Furthermore, because the mutated gene that causes symptoms is on the X-chromosome, the disease is more common in women. Girls have two copies of the X gene, which means they have a functional copy to compensate for the mutated one’s effects.
This means that approximately half of their cells will produce regular copies of the protein MeCP2, which is found in almost every cell of the body, including brain cells.
However, when the condition manifests in boys, it is the most lethal. Because boys have both X and Y chromosomes. Because there is no cure for the disease, the only outcome is death.
However, the case of Henry Thomas Engel might be a very important medical step towards finding the cure of the disease. Researchers are working hard to find the cure using Henry’s cells.
Condolences To Richard Engel Wife And Family
We send our condolences to Richard Engel’s family.
The 6-year-old was shared by the journalist and his wife, Mary Forrest. The couple married in 2015, the year Henry was born. They tried everything to save his life.
Henry also had a younger brother. Theodore, the couple’s second son, was born in August 2019. May the family find comfort in their loss.
