(See also Overview of Chromosome Disorders Overview of Chromosome and Gene Disorders Chromosomes are structures within cells that contain a person's genes. A gene is a segment of deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) and contains the code for a specific protein that functions in one... read more .)
Cri-du-chat syndrome is a rare syndrome in which part of chromosome 5 is missing. The size of the missing part varies, and people who have larger deletions are often more severely affected.
Symptoms of Cri-du-Chat Syndrome
Symptoms of cri-du-chat syndrome often include a characteristic high-pitched, mewing cry that sounds like a kitten crying. This cry may be heard immediately after birth, lasts several weeks, and then disappears. However, not all affected newborns have this distinct cry. An infant with this syndrome may have a low birth weight and a small head with many abnormal features, including a round face, small jaw, wide nose, widely separated eyes, crossed eyes (strabismus Strabismus Strabismus is an intermittent or constant misalignment of an eye so that its line of vision is not pointed at the same object as the other eye. If untreated, strabismus can cause amblyopia ... read more 
), and abnormally shaped ears set low in the head. Often the infant seems limp. Webbed fingers and toes (syndactyly Finger and Toe Defects The fingers and toes may be abnormally formed, incompletely formed, or missing at birth. Birth defects, also called congenital anomalies, are physical abnormalities that occur before a baby... read more 
) and heart defects are common. There are significant limitations in mental and physical development. Many children with cri-du-chat syndrome survive to adulthood but typically have substantial disabilities.
Diagnosis of Cri-du-Chat Syndrome
Chromosomal testing
The diagnosis of cri-du-chat syndrome may be suspected before birth or by the child's physical characteristics after birth. The diagnosis can be confirmed by chromosomal testing. (See also Next-generation sequencing technologies Next-generation sequencing technologies Genetic diagnostic technologies are scientific methods that are used to understand and evaluate an organism's genes. (See also Genes and Chromosomes.) Genes are segments of deoxyribonucleic... read more .)
Treatment of Cri-du-Chat Syndrome
Supportive care
Treatment of cri-cu-chat syndrome is supportive.
