Medical Problems Associated with Cri Du Chat Syndrome

Children affected with cri du chat syndrome experience several medical problems soon after birth as well as during their growth as they grow old. During birth, the medical problems found in a few children include
• Heart defects, mostly ventral and atrial septal defects and rarely endocardial cushion defects and tetralogy of Fallot
• Rare occurrence of Cleft Palate
• Rare occurrence of kidney abnormalities
• Development of scoliosis in a few children
• Occasional occurrence of inguinal or abdominal hernias at birth
• Minor skeletal problems such as hip dislocation or deformities in the feet
• Bowel abnormalities
• Rare occurrence of epilepsy
• Intubation problems for anesthesia found in a very few cases owing to abnormal formations of larynx as well as epiglottis
• Problems with swallowing as well as sucking found in newborn babies but the swallowing difficulties sometimes prevail longer.
The additional problems that exist when the child grows are as follows
• Minor hearing problems. Impairment of hearing is severe rarely and needs hearing aids
• Turned eye or strabismus is common at times and needs to be consulted with a doctor since many individuals do not grow out of it like other problems and affects the vision. But treatment at the right time will help. Other visual problems may also persist. (http://cri-du-chat-syndrome.blogspot.com)
• Common occurrence of hypotonia or low muscle tone in infancy but may alter to high muscle tone or hypertonia as the child ages. In order to avoid this, physiotherapy is of tremendous help.
• Dysphagia or swallowing and sucking difficulties persist. The child will be able to suck weakly and may choke and cough while swallowing. Even this problem needs doctor treatment since aspiration pneumonia may result if not treated properly.
• Presence of gastrointestinal abnormalities in a few babies
• Common presence of gastric reflux in infancy and normally needs to be treated by a doctor.
• Common occurrence of chronic constipation, which can often start in the age when the child is one or two years and can also persist all through their lives. However, treatment exists and this problem can be managed well in almost all cases.
• The affected child obtains frequent ear infections to the extent that they need grommets in their childhood.
• The affected children also experience problem with controlling their saliva which leads to drooling. In the most severe cases where they have not been treated even at an older age, there will be a need for surgery. Hence get the child treated at an earlier age. cri du chat
• Common occurrence of dental problems owing to skeletal malformations
• The affected child does not take interest in food and ignores it
• Fatal owing to constant illness, refusal to drink or eat and severe reflux.