Richard Engel, an NBC News journalist, said on Thursday (August 18th) that his 6-year-old son Henry had passed unexpectedly.
How did Richard Engel’s son Henry die?
On August 8, 2022, Henry Engel, son of NBC News top international correspondent Richard Engel, passed away.
Since his kid’s initial Rett Syndrome diagnosis in 2017, Engel has been vocal about the condition of his son.
The TODAY Show reported that Rett syndrome, a genetic brain condition, was discovered in Richard Engel’s young son. A notable death for Henry occurred on August 9, 2022.
Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more.
Richard Engel
Our beloved son Henry passed away. He had the softest blue eyes, an easy smile and a contagious giggle. We always surrounded him with love and he returned it, and so much more. Mary and Richard. https://t.co/M8LV8SHv6r pic.twitter.com/21Ja6TOtjH
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) August 18, 2022
Engel announced the awful news on his Twitter account. Engel wrote, “Our cherished son Henry went away.” He had easy grin, easy laugh, and the sweetest blue eyes. He always reciprocated the affection we showed him. And a whole lot more.
Richard Engel’s son Henry cause of death
Richard Engel’s son was born on September 28, 2015, according to information in his biography on the Texas Children’s Hospital website.
His parents became aware that he wasn’t meeting his developmental milestones when he was still a baby, according to the biography. “And to determine the cause, he had a number of medical examinations. The conclusion came from a genetic test: Henry’s MECP2 gene was mutated.
The institution also disclosed that Rett syndrome, which is classified as an illness that commonly affects girls after their first birthday, is caused by MECP2 mutations. It particularly robs kids of their ability to learn and leaves them with cognitive deficiencies, speech loss, and movement problems.
“In 2018, Henry and his family visited the Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital (Duncan NRI). Dr. Huda Zoghbi has since researched Henry’s mutation and found that MECP2 mutations cause Rett syndrome.
Dr. Huda Zoghbi said of Richard Engel’s son: “Henry was remarkable in so many ways. I fell in love with him the moment I first met him because of his adoring grin and the way he looked into my eyes. It was amazing how quietly he battled this awful disease.
Rett syndrome does not currently have a treatment or a cure.
When did Richard Engel’s son Henry passed away?
Henry passed away from Rett Syndrome on August 9, and his family is requesting donations for research to find a cure.
Our dear son Henry went away, Engel stated in a touching tweet mourning his son’s loss. He had the most endearing blue eyes, a kind grin, and an infectious laugh.
He was always surrounded by our affection, and he gave us so much more in return.
On May 31, 2022, Engel released a touching video in which he revealed his son’s declining condition.
On social media, he shared a video of his youngest son, Theo, leaning in to kiss his brother.
In the video, the two-year-old can be heard saying, “One more,” before bending in to kiss Henry, who is now six years old.
Engel included a description for the video that read, in part: “Unfortunately, Henry’s narrative has taken a turn for the worst for anyone who is following it.
“Dystonia, or uncontrollable stiffness and shaking, emerged as his health worsened. After spending six weeks in the hospital, he is currently recovering at home with Theo, his brother.
Doctors have informed Engel and Forrest that Henry would probably never be able to walk, communicate, or put himself in clothes due to the advanced signs of Rett Syndrome, which also include stiffness and seizures.
Rare incidences of the syndrome in males usually result in the boy’s death during pregnancy or soon after birth. The syndrome is typically observed in girls.
Huda Zoghbi, head of the Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, one of Henry’s doctors, claims that he has a gene mutation that has extended his life.
However, Zoghbi told NBC News, “In Henry’s instance, it doesn’t absolutely inactivate the protein; it’s not acting properly and not at 100% at normal level.”
Anyone who would like to contribute to studies and research aimed at finding a cure for Rett Syndrome is being asked to do so by Henry’s family.
Richard Engel’s statement about his son Henry condition
Henry Engel’s condition at the time was not improving, and according to Richard Engel, things were beginning to get difficult for the 6-year-old. This was discussed in May 2022.
Richard Engel posted on Twitter, “For everyone following Henry’s tale, he’s taken a turn for the worse.” His health worsened, and he now exhibits dystonia, or uncontrollable stiffness and shaking. After spending six weeks in the hospital, he is currently recovering at home with Theo, his brother.
Richard Engel revealed to PEOPLE in 2019 that Henry lacked a “conductor gene” and that Texas Children’s Hospital’s medical staff was working to develop a therapy that might be extremely beneficial.
In 2020, he also revealed how deeply the COVID-19 lockdown had affected Henry and the Engel family. Henry was doing well as a result of the circumstances, according to an essay he wrote for TODAY.
Henry had significant special needs, and Richard Engel said that COVID “has been an awful nightmare for him and the millions of youngsters like him.” “I’d use more vivid adjectives, but I think you get the idea. He doesn’t move or speak. He struggles to properly feed himself. He slumps in his chair. As he becomes bigger, he hardly moves on his own anymore.
Tribute to Engel’s son Henry
The Jan and Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital declared they would keep using Henry Engel’s cells for research in honour of their son.
We know today there are hundreds of genes that can cause autism or can cause intellectual disability or complex psychiatric disorders
Zoghbi told the outlet
The citation reads: “Henry worked relentlessly in his numerous physical and developmental therapy, making the most of every day.
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Dr. Zoghbi and her team continue to draw inspiration from him as they search for viable Rett syndrome treatments; they have made excellent progress using Henry’s own cells.
It went on: “Henry’s family has asked that anyone who would like to pay tribute to him kindly make a donation to help us with our ongoing study.
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