Cri-du-Chat
Syndrome
Cri-du-Chat syndrome
is the result of a monosomy (2n=45,5-) or segmental aneuploid
deletion of
a portion of the short arm (2n=46,5p-) of Chromosome 5 [see karyotype].
Symptoms include a characteristic high-pitched cry ("cat cry"), low
birth weight, poor muscle tone, microcephaly, and mental
retardation.
Children respond well to the home environment, and
institutionalization
is now less common.