Cri-du-Chat
Jasmine Smith
What Is Cri-du-Chat?
Cri-du-chat, French for the cat's cry, is a chromosomal disorder that is caused by the removal of a piece of chromosome 5. It affects mainly infants and causes them to have a high-pitched cry, resembling one of a cat.
Symptoms
There are many indications of cri-du-chat that vary from a high pitched cry, mental retardation, delayed development, small head size, widely-spaced eyes, low birth weight, and weak muslce tone.
Gid - Cri Du Chat
Treatments
There aren't any treatments that cater to the condition specifically but a child with cri-du-chat can go through a variety of therapies such as special remedial education, physical therapy, speech therapy, special services and other facilities.
Frequency
Females are more likely to be affected by cri-du-chat than males are and affects caucasians more than any other race. It's estimated that 1 in 20,000 to 50,000 children born have cri-du-chat. Death in people with cri-du-chat is very rare; many with the condition have lived to be 50 years old. If a death does occur, it's usually within the first year of life.
Interesting Facts
- In 80% of cri-du-chat cases, the chromosome carrying the deletion comes from the father's sperm
- Some cases of cri-du-chat go undiagnosed.
- The disorder was first used in medical literature by Dr. Lejeune in 1963.