Cri du Chat (pronounced kree du shah) is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deletion of part of the short arm (p arm) of chromosome 5. Also known as 5p- syndrome. It affects approximately 1 in 50,000 live births, making it a rare diagnosis that many people never heard of.

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The condition gets its name from the distinctive high-pitched, cat-like cry that many babies have at birth. This cry is often one of the earliest signs.

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Cri du Chat is NOT caused by anything the parent did or didn't do. 85-90% of cases are de de novo, meaning the deletion happens randomly and it is not inherited.