1. Cri-du-Chat Syndrome (Cry of the Cat)
By: Courtney Moore

2. How common is cri-du-chat syndrome?
Cri-du-chat syndrome occurs in an estimated 1 in 20,000 to 50,000 newborns.
Found in people of all ethnic backgrounds.

3. What is it?
Cri-du-chat (cat's cry) syndrome, also known as 5p- (5p minus) syndrome, is a chromosomal condition that results when a piece of chromosome 5 is missing. Infants with this condition often have a high-pitched cry that sounds like that of a cat.

4. Other names cat cry syndrome chromosome 5p- Syndrome
5p deletion syndrome
monosomy 5p
5p- syndrome

5. How is it treated?
Although there is no real treatment for cri-du-chat syndrome, children with the disorder can go through therapy to improve their language skills, motor skills, and to help them develop as normally as possible.

6. Symptoms Cry that is high-pitched and sounds like a cat
Downward slant to the eyes
Low birth weight and slow growth
Low-set or abnormally shaped ears
Mental retardation
Partial webbing or fusing of fingers or toes
Single line in the palm of the hand (simian crease)
Skin tags just in front of the ear
Slow or incomplete development of motor skills
Small head (microcephaly)
Small jaw (micrognathia)
Wide-set eyes

7. prognosis
What can be expected varies, but mental retardation is usual. Half of children with Cri du chat syndrome learn sufficient verbal skills to communicate. The cat-like cry becomes less apparent over time.

8. diagnosis
Cri du chat syndrome can be detected before birth if the mother undergoes amniocentesis testing or chorionic villus sampling(CVS). This testing would only be recommended if the mother or father is known to have a chromosome rearrangement, or if they already have a child with cri du chat syndrome.

9. Joel was diagnosed with cri du chat
Joel was diagnosed with cri du chat. His parents researched everything they could about it to make him have a good life. In the picture above he is one week old he was born 4 weeks early. Since he was 5 months old he has suffered from chest infections and he is now much older now.
below is him at 2 years. To find out more about joels story go to