Perioperative Care of a Child With Cri Du Chat Syndrome

Cri du chat syndrome (CdCS) is a chromosomal disorder resulting from a deletion in the short arm of chromosome 5. Anatomical abnormalities of the larynx result in a distinctive high-pitched, cat-like cry for which the disorder is named. Typical findings of the syndrome involve the upper airway, cardiovascular, and central nervous system (CNS). Of particular concern during anesthetic care is the potential for airway abnormalities leading to difficulties with endotracheal intubation as well as the presence of congenital heart disease (CHD). We present a 15-month-old child with CdCS who required anesthetic care during direct laryngoscopy and supraglottoplasty. The perioperative concerns of such patients are discussed, and previous reports of anesthetic care reviewed.