Cri-Du Chat (cat’s cry) is a rare genetic disorder that results when a piece of the 5p chromosome is deleted. The name is French for “cry of the cat,” referring to the high-pitched cat-life cry. Other characteristics include intellectual disability, hyperactivity, and delay development. below are some more facts on this rare disease.

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• Cri du Chat is French for cat’s cry or crying cat
• The syndrome gets its name from the infant cry which is similar to a meowing kitten
• The cry is due to issues with the larynx and nervous system
• About one third of children lose the cry by the age of 2 years.
• It is also known as 5p- (5p minus)
• The size of the deletion varies among affected individuals
• Cri du chat syndrome is not inherited.
• About 10 percent of people with cri du chat syndrome inherit it from an unaffected parent.
• Is a chromosomal condition that results when a piece of chromosome 5 is missing
• People diagnosed with cri du chat tend to have distinctive facial features
• Occurs in an estimated 1 in 20,000 to 50,000 newborns
• Cri du chat is found in  people of all ethnic backgrounds
• It was first described by Jerome Lejeune in 1963
• It is more common in females by a 4.3 ratio
• It is a rare genetic disorder
• In some cases, cri du chat syndrome may go undiagnosed
• Children born with cri du chat syndrome are more likely to have developmental delays
• The symptoms of cri du chat vary from person to person
• Both children and adults with cri du chat are often seen as cheerful and friendly.

References

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

National Organizations of Rare Diseases