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This revision: 9th May 2013 .
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Cri du chat syndrome, also known as chromosome 5p deletion syndrome, 5p minus syndrome or Lejeune’s syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder due to a missing part of chromosome 5.
The condition affects an estimated 1 in 50,000 live births, strikes all ethnicities, and is more common in females by a 4:3 ratio.[2]
The syndrome gets its name from the characteristic cry of affected infants, which is similar to that of a meowing kitten, due to problems with the larynx and nervous system. About 1/3 of children lose the cry by age 2.
Other symptoms of cri du chat syndrome may include:
- feeding problems because of difficulty swallowing and sucking;
- low birth weight and poor growth;
- severe cognitive, speech, and motor delays;
- behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, aggression, tantrums, and repetitive movements;
- excessive drooling;