Cri+Du+Chat+Syndrome

Brenna Knarr Biology I Honors 1st Block Ms. Beatty

**Introduction**
The genetic disorder I choose is Cri Du Chat Syndrome. This disorder is caused when the 5th chromosome is missing a piece. Cri Du Chat Syndrome is very rare. This syndrome may also be known as 5p minus syndrome for the missing piece of chromosome 5 or Cat's Cry syndrome because of the high pitch cry that sounds like a cat.

**Mode of Inheritance**
It is believed that the deleted part of chromosome 5 occurs during the development of the egg or sperm. In fewer cases, one of the parents' 5th chromosome could have been rearranged and passed to the child during conception.

**Clinical Description of the Disorder**
Cri Du Chat Syndrome is named for the cry unique to this genetic disorder, a high pitched cry that sounds cat-like. Out of the people with mental retardation, Cri Du Chat is the cause of 1% of these people with mental handicaps. People with Cri Du Chat will most likely have trouble learning and have some sort of speaking disorder. These children will be more keen to catch illnesses and infections. Malformation are also very common will Cri Du Chat children. This disorder doesn't knowing effect these peoples lifespans, although there may be some signs of premature aging.

**Treatment**
No known treatment for this disorder. The mental retardation can be addressed and certain steps will need to be taken. The parents may need to see a counselor.

**Detection**
If you see more than half of the following physical symptoms, please alert your doctor: Physical examines may also show:
 * Low birth weight
 * High pitched cry that sounds like a cat
 * Slow growth rate
 * Eyes slanting downward
 * wide set eyes
 * Low set or abnormally shaped ears
 * Skin tags only in front of ear
 * small head
 * small jaw
 * partial webbed fingers or toes
 * A single line in the palm of hand
 * Slower or incomplete motor skill development
 * Mental retardation
 * Inguinal hernia
 * abdomen muscles separated
 * extra fold in corner of eye
 * Skull X-ray could show an abnormal angle of the neck



**Sources**

 * http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001593.htm
 * http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=criduchatsyndrome
 * http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/cri-du-chat-syndrome/overview.html
 * http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/whataregd/cdc/images/cri-du-chat_diagram.gif
 * http://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/67/Criduchat.jpg
 * http://bp3.blogger.com/_JQfjmxQqsd0/R9vypvWgwFI/AAAAAAAAACs/U61dibZXqpY/s320/brada%5B1%5D.jpg
 * http://www.ibis-birthdefects.org/start/criducha.htm