Individuals with Cri-du-chat syndrome should receive regular primary care through a pediatrician, family doctor or other primary care physician. Individuals with Cri-du-chat syndrome may also benefit from evaluation by a medical geneticist and genetic counseling. A medical geneticist may be able to help ensure that an individual with Cri-du-chat syndrome is seen by all of the appropriate specialists. A medical geneticist can be found by asking your doctor for a referral or looking on the American College of Medical Geneticists website . Genetic counselors in the United States can be found on the National Society of Genetic Counselors website. Genetic counselors in Canada can be found at the Canadian Association of Genetic Counselors website.
The specific specialists an individual with Cri-du-chat syndrome should see is somewhat dependent on the specific symptoms an individual has. For example, a child with difficulty feeding as a newborn may benefit from therapy intervention in the first few weeks of life. Some individuals with Cri-du-chat syndrome may have hearing loss and would benefit from seeing an audiologist. It is recommended that all individuals with Cri-du-chat syndrome receive early intervention services in the form of physical, occupational and speech therapy services as appropriate, as well as receive whatever educational support is available through school to maximize a child’s developmental and learning potential.
Other Questions About Cri-du-chat syndrome
- Why do infants with Cri-du-chat syndrome have a cat-like cry?
- Who else in my family should I test for Cri-du-chat syndrome?
- Where do I find other people with Cri-du-chat syndrome?
- What specialist doctors should I see with Cri-du-chat syndrome?
- What other tests or evaluations may be done to monitor the care of a child with Cri-du-chat syndrome?
