Parents describe their children with Cri du Chat syndrome.
Key Facts about Cri du Chat Syndrome
Cri du Chat syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in 37,000 to 50,000 people in the population.
Cri du Chat syndrome is caused by a missing piece of information (deletion) on the short arm of chromosome 5.
Most individuals with Cri du Chat syndrome will have a moderate to profound level of intellectual disability; however, some individuals will have a mild intellectual disability.
Most individuals with Cri du Chat syndrome will be able to understand more than they can articulate.
Most individuals with Cri du Chat syndrome do not have problems with vision and hearing, although some individuals may be hypersensitive to sound.
Individuals with Cri du Chat syndrome are reported to enjoy social contact with others.
While co-ordination problems are common in Cri du Chat syndrome, recent studies suggest that a substantial proportion of children will learn to walk.
A number of health difficulties can occur in Cri du Chat syndrome including curvature of the spine, constipation, gastro-oesophageal reflux and respiratory tract infections, feeding difficulties, flat footedness, renal and heart problems. With regular monitoring many of these difficulties can be treated or reduced.
Behavioural difficulties, hyperactivity and sleep difficulties are common in Cri du Chat syndrome. However, behavioural and medical interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing the impact of these behaviours in people with intellectual disability.
Many children with Cri du Chat syndrome are attached to a favourite object.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not strongly associated with Cri du Chat syndrome although around 30% of individuals meet the cut-off for ASD on screening tools.
