10 Cat's Cry Syndrome FAQs

By leslie

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. ’Cri-du-chat syndrome.’ Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. www.rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6213/cri-du-chat-syndrome
• 2. ’Cri du chat syndrome.’ Mount Sinai Hospital. mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/cri-du-chat-syndrome
• 3. ’Cri du Chat syndrome.’ Raising Children. www.raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/cri-du-chat-syndrome

Medical Expert

More About Us

Cat's cry syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects growth and development. Its alternate name, 5p minus syndrome, refers to the affected genetic chromosome. It may also be referred to as Lejeune syndrome, after the physician who first described it in 1963, who named it cri du chat syndrome. The exact number of cases is unknown, but it's thought to appear in about one out of every 15,000 to 50,000 births.¹’Cri-du-chat syndrome.’ Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. www.rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6213/cri-du-chat-syndrome

A syndrome is defined as a collection of conditions found in one disease, and Cat's cry syndrome has numerous expected symptoms.

What Is Cat's Cry Syndrome?

Cat's cry syndrome, also known as cri du chat syndrome, is more common in females than males. It occurs across all ethnicities, and while it's genetic, it's not caused by a hereditary familial gene defect, in most cases, but occurs randomly. It's initially identified by the newborn infant's cry, which resembles the sound of a cat's high-pitched mewl.¹’Cri-du-chat syndrome.’ Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. www.rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6213/cri-du-chat-syndrome

Most cat's cry syndrome cases are believed to arise during the formation of the egg or sperm or in early embryo development. Sometimes, a parent passes a distinct form of the affected chromosome. The disease may be diagnosed before birth with genetic testing.²’Cri du chat syndrome.’ Mount Sinai Hospital. mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/cri-du-chat-syndrome