Cri-du-chat Syndrome

Cri-du-chat syndrome is a genetic disorder that was discovered in 1963. Symptoms of this syndrome include a downward slant to the eyes, mental retardation, slow or incomplete development of motor skills, low birth weight and slow growth, partial webbing of fusing of the fingers or toes, a small head and a small jaw, wide-set eyes, and only one line on the palm. Complications of this syndrome include inability to care for oneself and the inability to function in society. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for this disorder, but genetic counseling is recommended for parents of children with cri-du-chat. THis syndrome occurs in about 1 in every 20,000 to 50,000 newborns, and it is slightly more common in the female population, which means that females are more vulnerable to cri-du-chat. Cri-du-chat-syndrome happens when there is a deletion of the short arm (p) in Chromosome 5, which occurs at random event during the formation of reproductive cells (sperm and eggs). So far, scientists are still looking to understand this syndrome more so that they can develop new treatments, but they are, as of now, unsuccessful. It is very sad that such a disease even exists. If possible, scientists should try harder and the government should spend more money on research for this disease, for if they find a cure, that will be one of the best things the government and the scientific society could do for the public.