CD-ROM Today 1996 January/CD-ROM Today 1996 January.iso/dp/0363/03633.txt

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$Unique_ID{BRK03633}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Cri du Chat Syndrome}
$Subject{Cri du Chat Syndrome 5p-Syndrome Partial Deletion of the Short Arm of
Chromosome Number 5 Syndrome Cat's Cry Syndrome Chromosome 5p-Syndrome Le
Jeune Syndrome}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1992 National Organization for Rare
Disorders, Inc.

19:
Cri du Chat Syndrome

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Cri du Chat Syndrome)
was not the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the
alternate name and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

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

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The Information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


Cri du Chat Syndrome is characterized in infants by a very distinctive
high, shrill, mewing, kitten-like cry that fades in later infancy.  Other
symptoms are also present including distinct facial features.

Symptoms

The characteristic cry of Cri Du Chat syndrome is present during the first
weeks of life.  Birth weight is usually low, and growth is slow.  Almost all
infants with Cri Du Chat Syndrome have an abnormally small head
(microcephalic) and mental retardation.   An infant with this disorder
generally has a round face with unusually wide-set eyes (hypertelorism), and
excess skin over the inner corners of the eyes (epicanthal folds).  Other
symptoms of Cri du Chat syndrome may include eyes that are either crossed or
looking away (strabismus), low-set and/or malformed ears, a small chin, a
prominent nose, and facial features that are not balanced side to side
(asymmetry).  A single crease across the palms of the hands (Simian creases)
is common.  Over three-quarters of these infants have signs of weakness and
poor muscle tone (hypotonia).  As the infants grow older this is generally
replaced with an exaggeration of muscular reflexes (hyperreflexia).  A few
patients with Cri Du Chat Syndrome are nearsightedness (myopia).

Some infants with Cri Du Chat Syndrome may have a split in the front of
the upper lip (cleft lip), an abnormal opening in the roof of the mouth
(cleft palate), or an abnormal opening or fissure in the back of the mouth
(bifid uvula).  In some patients, one side of the spinal column may be
incompletely developed (hemivertebra).   Other infants may have a tear in the
supportive tissue of the lower abdomen (inguinal hernia).  In male infants
with Cri Du Chat syndrome the testes may fail to descend into the scrotum
(cryptochidism).  Other infrequent symptoms include the absence of a kidney
and/or the spleen, a clubfoot, and flat feet.  Seven of 13 adults in one
study had a curvature of the spinal column (scoliosis) and 11 patients had
short bones in the hands (metacarpals) and feet (metatarsals).

Causes

Cri Du Chat Syndrome is caused by a partial deletion of the short arm of
chromosome 5.  The more pronounced the deletion is, the more severe the
effect on intelligence, height and weight.

Affected Population

Cri du Chat Syndrome was first described in 1963; since then over 100 cases
have been reported.  It has been estimated that the syndrome occurs in about
1:50,000 births and accounts for approximately 1 percent of institutionalized
mentally retarded patients.

Therapies:  Standard

Treatment for Cri du Chat Syndrome is symptomatic and supportive.  Physical
therapy, special education and related services may be of benefit to
children.  Surgery may be performed to correct an eye that is either crossed
or looking away (strabismus) and this may offer some cosmetic improvement.
An orthopedist should be consulted for curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and
deformities of the feet.

A series of surgeries may correct a cleft lip and palate.  Speech therapy
may be necessary in some cases.  Early preventive dental treatment in an
aggressive manner is very important; the dentist must be informed that the
patient has Cri du Chat Syndrome.

Genetic counseling may be of benefit for patients and their families.

Therapies:  Investigational

Research and studies of Cri du Chat Syndrome are ongoing.  One study has
shown that early special schooling, a home environment (rather than an
institutional one), and family support may help the patient achieve the
abilities of a normal five or six year old.  In the same study half the
children over ten who had undergone special schooling and lived in a
supportive home environment, were able to communicate adequately.

Scientific techniques in determining chromosomal abnormalities are
becoming more and more refined.  This means diagnostic techniques have
improved and in certain instances prenatal diagnosis of Cri du Chat Syndrome
is possible.

Research on birth defects and their causes is ongoing.  The National
Institutes of Health (NIH) is sponsoring the Human Genome Project which is
aimed at mapping every gene in the human body and learning why they sometimes
malfunction.  It is hoped that this new knowledge will lead to prevention and
treatment of genetic disorders in the future.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
September 1992.  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.

Resources

For more information on Cri du Chat Syndrome, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     [phone]

     Cri du Chat Society
     Department of Human Genetics
     Medical College of Virginia
     Box 33
     MCV Station
     Richmond, VA  23298
     [phone]

     5p-Society
     11609 Oakmont
     Overland Park, KS  66210
     [phone]

     Chromosome Deletion Outreach
     P.O. Box 164
     Holtsville, NY  11742
     [phone]

     NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     [phone]

For Genetic Information and Genetic Counseling Referrals:

     March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
     1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
     White Plains, NY 10605
     (914)-428-7100

     Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
     35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
     Chevy Chase, MD  20815
     (800) 336-GENE
     [phone]

References

SMITH'S RECOGNIZABLE PATTERNS OF HUMAN MALFORMATION, 4th Ed.:  Kenneth L.
Jones, M.D., Editor; W. B. Saunders Co., 1988.  Pp. 40-41.

NELSON TEXTBOOK OF PEDIATRICS, 14TH Ed.; Richard E. Behrman, Editors;
W.B. Saunders Company, 1991. Pp. 287-288.

CONFIRMATION OF A BALANCED CHROMOSOMAL TRANSLOCATION USING MOLECULAR
TECHNIQUES.  R. D. Smart, et al.; Prenat Diagn (Jul 1989; issue 9 (7)).  Pp.
505-513.

CRI DU CHAT SYNDROME:  DENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND REPORT OF CASE, R A.
Boraz; Spec Care Dentist (Jan-Feb 1990; issue 10 (1)):  Pp. 13-15.

5p;12q TRANSLOCATION WITH MANIFESTATIONS OF CRI DU CHAT SYNDROME AND
MARFANOID ARACHNODACTYLY, S.Z. Zhang, et al.; Clin Genet (Feb 1990; issue 37
(2)):  Pp. 153-157.

MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF A CASE OF MEIOTIC RECOMBINATION LEADING TO CRI DU
CHAT SYNDROME, M. Dobbs, et al.; Cytogenet Cell Genet (1988; issue 47 (1-
2)): Pp. 5-7.