Q: Is this condition
sex linked?
A: No. It has nothing
to do with the sex chromosomes (ie x and y). However there do seem
to be more girls than boys affected, but this is probably because female
foetuses are stronger than males and therefore more likely to survive.
Q: Does this affect any
particular racial group?
A: No. All racial groups
are affected.
Q: Is this caused by a
dominant or recessive gene?
A: Neither. This is not
a syndrome caused by a single gene, it involves a whole chunk of genetic
material being lost, which contains thouands and thousands of genes.
Q: Why is it that one
child with the same breakpoint as another may develop differently?
A: Because breakpoints
are not precise and there maybe several thousand genes lost from one child
which are still there in another. Aslo there are another 45 chromosomes
all playing a part in each childs unique genetic makeup.
Q: What is the life expectancy
for someoe with Cri Du Chat Syndrome?
A: As far as we know
life expectancy is normal as long as there aren't any underlying internal
problems (eg heart defects). However, children and adults such as these
are more prone to catching infections than the general population,
and there is some evidence of premature ageing. Lack of diagnosis before
the 1960's means that we do not have any real data of the older population
to go on. I am certainly expecting my son to outlive me!