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Living with Ring chromosome 5

A rare chromosome change with a cat-like cry in newborns, severe developmental delay, short height, and heart and bone differences.

Understanding Ring chromosome 5

Ring chromosome 5 syndrome is a rare chromosome condition that varies from person to person.

Main features include a mewing cry in newborns, severe developmental delay and intellectual disability, short stature, and low muscle tone. People may have a small head size, facial differences, heart defects, and bone differences such as small thumbs. It begins in the newborn and infant period.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition. Its summary describes these:

  • Mewing cry as a newborn
  • Severe developmental delay
  • Intellectual disability
  • Short stature
  • Low muscle tone
  • Heart defects and hand bone differences

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Chromosome Disorder Outreach
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Should the heart be checked for defects?
What therapies can support development?
Was this change inherited?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn and as an Infant

It is a chromosome change in which chromosome 5 forms a ring. GARD does not name a gene or list an inheritance pattern.

Genetic

Also known as: ring 5; ring chromosome 5 syndrome; ring chromosome type 5; rose cluster 5

Patient organizations

Broader rare-disease groups

Source: NIH GARD · Ring chromosome 5GARD ID 10841 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Ring chromosome 5.

Explore the Ring chromosome 5 blog

Explore research for Ring chromosome 5

Explore actively recruiting Ring chromosome 5 studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Ring chromosome 5 with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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