Speech and language development in a twin with Cri du Chat syndrome: a case report

Abstract

AbstractCri du Chat syndrome is associated with a partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5. Its clinical features include a cat-like cry, facial anomalies, hypotonia, growth delay, and psychomotor retardation. Little is known about the speech and language development of children with Cri du Chat syndrome. The present study reports a case of twin girls, both with Cri du Chat syndrome, and compares both girls' speech and language development profiles. The twins were enrolled in a pre-school program for children with special needs where they underwent a rehabilitation program involving speech therapy, to assist their development. Several tests were applied to both girls to examine their oral-motor function, speech and language abilities. Both twins displayed a developmental delay in both non-verbal and verbal abilities, and showed similar oral-motor developmental patterns. The analyses indicated that both exhibited characteristics of delayed and disordered phonological development, and shared the sa...