'People need to know about this rare syndrome'

Margo did not cry when she was born and instead only made small whimpering sounds

A couple are raising awareness of a rare genetic disorder after their daughter was diagnosed with Cri du Chat.

Baby Margo did not cry when she was born and instead only made small whimpering sounds, according to her parents Emma and Kyle, from Kent.

Emma said Margo, now 18 months old, struggled to feed properly and lost weight after birth, and was eventually diagnosed with Cri du Chat.

Supported by the children's charity Tree of Hope, the couple is raising funds to treat Margo, who Emma called "the most perfect, beautiful, happy, smiley little girl".

Getting its name from "cry of the cat" in French, owing to the high-pitched crying sound infants with the disorder can make, Cri du Chat affects between one in 15,000 to 50,000 live births, according to the Cri Du Chat Research Foundation.

Common symptoms can include smaller head growth, moderate to severe intellectual disability and developmental delays, the National Organization for Rare Diseases added.

The family are being supported by the Tree of Hope children's charity

Emma said: "We know how important early intervention is for children with Cri Du Chat syndrome and we want to give Margo the best chance of reaching her full potential.

"Our dream for her is to be able to run around and play with her brothers and live the most independent life possible."

Margo is small for her age and cannot sit independently, crawl or walk, Emma said.

But the 33-year-old added: "She loves to kick, giggle, be outside and play with her toys, especially musical ones.

"She's absolutely gorgeous."

The mother added that Margo's treatment had "unimaginable costs", requiring £80 to £95 per hour for private physio sessions, hydrotherapy, osteopaths, private speech and language therapy, as well as sensory and learning equipment.