Cri du chat syndrome is a congenital disorder characterized at birth by the infant’s high-pitched, cat-like cry. This specific cry has been linked to a small larynx and is present immediately following birth, lasting for several weeks. Cri du chat syndrome is also known as Cat’s cry or 5p- syndrome. Incidence of cri du chat syndrome in the United States is approximately 50 to 60 births per year. This syndrome is the result of the deletion of a portion of Chromosome 5.
A sporadically inherited congenital anomaly in which affected infants have mental retardation, microcephaly, dwarfism, and a laryngeal defect that results in unusual vocalizations.. An affected infant is said to cry like a cat (cri du chat in French). It results from a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5.
Cri du chat syndrome is an uncommon congenital disorder that presents with significant learning challenges, distinctive facial features, below-average birth weight, and short stature. One hallmark of this syndrome is an infant’s cry resembling that of a cat. The condition arises from a chromosomal abnormality. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment available for this syndrome.