Cri Du Chat Syndrome

A congenital disability, Cri Du Chat Syndrome refers to the combination of physical and developmental features resulting from the loss of genetic material from part of chromosome 5. Babies with this condition often have a high-pitched cry that sounds like that of a cat. The disorder is characterized by intellectual disability and delayed development, small head size, low birth weight, and weak muscle tone in infancy. They may also have distinctive facial features, including widely set eyes, low-set ears, a small jaw, and a rounded face. Some children with cri-du-chat syndrome are born with a heart defect.

Associations/Groups:

The Arc of the United States
National organization of and for people with intellectual disabilities and related development disabilities and their families.
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington DC 20006
Phone: 202-534-3700 or 800-433-5255
Contact: Contact us form

Chromosome Disorder Outreach
Provides support and information to anyone diagnosed with a rare chromosome change, rearrangement or disorder.
PO Box 724
Boca Raton, FL 33429-0724
Helpline: 561-395-4252
Email: [email protected]

5p- (Five P Minus) Society
A Parent Support Group for Children with Cri Du Chat Syndrome
A volunteer organization run by parent volunteers, the 5p- Society provides information and support to other parents of children and adults with Cri Du Chat syndrome, as well as educates professionals and the public about the syndrome. Newsletters and info from the society’s library are available for a small donation.
5P- Society
PO Box 268
Lakewood, CA 990714
Family Support Services: 888-970-0777
Email: [email protected]

Disease Infosearch                                                                                                                                                                                  Provides information on genetic diseases. Our tools increase access to services and provide the information people need, when they need it.
4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 404
Washington D.C. 20008-2369
Phone: 202-966-5557
Email: [email protected]

Contact: Contact Form

Cri du Chat National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD) 
Has rare disease database, resources, patient assistance programs and support
PO Box 1968
55 Kenosia AVE
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
Phone: 203-744-0100
Email: [email protected]

Other Information:

Cri du Chat Syndrome – US National Library of Medicine

 Infants often have a high-pitched cry that sounds like that of a cat. The disorder is characterized by intellectual disability and delayed development, small head size, low birth weight, and weak muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy.

Cri du Chat Syndrome – National Human Genome Research Institute

Most individuals who have cri du chat syndrome have difficulty with language. Half of children learn sufficient verbal skills to communicate. Some individuals learn to use short sentences, while others express themselves with a few basic words, gestures, or sign language.

Fact Sheet last updated on: 2/14/2023

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