Synonyms

• 5p-Syndrome
• Cat's Cry Syndrome
• Chromosome 5p-Syndrome
• Le Jeune Syndrome
• Partial Deletion of the Short Arm of Chromosome 5 Syndrome
• Chromosome 5, Monosomy 5p

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Cri du Chat Syndrome, a rare chromosomal disorder that is apparent at birth, is characterized by a distinctive high, shrill, mewing, "kitten-like" cry during infancy. This distinctive cry can become less pronounced during late infancy. Other findings and symptoms may include low birth weight and failure to grow at the expected rate (failure to thrive); distinctive abnormalities of the head and face (craniofacial area) including an unusually small head (microcephaly), widely spaced eyes (ocular hypertelorism), and an unusually small jaw (micrognathia); and mental retardation. Cri du Chat Syndrome is caused by the absence of genetic material (deletion) on the short arm (p) of chromosome 5.

Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

The Arc (a national organization on mental retardation)
1010 Wayne Ave
Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: (301)565-3842
Fax: (301)565-3843
Tel: (800)433-5255
TDD: (817)277-0553
Email: info@thearc.org
Internet: http://www.thearc.org/

Chromosome Disorder Outreach, Inc.
P.O. Box 724
Boca Raton, FL 33429-0724
USA
Tel: 5613954252
Fax: 5613954252
Email: info@chromodisorder.org
Internet: http://www.chromodisorder.org

5p- Society
PO Box 268
Lakewood, CA 90714-0268
USA
Tel: 5628044506
Fax: 5629205240
Tel: 8889700777
Email: director@fivepminus.org
Internet: http://www.fivepminus.org

Department of Human Genetics/Cri du Chat
Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical College of Virginia
P.O. Box 980033
Richmond, VA 23298-0033
Tel: (804)828-8116
Fax: (804)828-8801

Cri Du Chat Syndrome Support Group
7 Penny Lane
Barwell
Leicester, Intl LE9 8HJ
United Kingdom
Tel: 01455 841680
Fax: 01455 841680
Email: angie@@@criduchat.co.uk
Internet: http://www.personal.u-net.com/~cridchat

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: 9203365333
Fax: 9203390995
Tel: 8773365333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

Let Them Hear Foundation
1900 University Ave #101
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
Tel: (650)462-3143
Fax: (650)462-3143
Tel: (877)735-2929
Email: info@letthemhear.org
Internet: http://www.letthemhear.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  4/14/2008
Copyright  1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2008National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.