The combination of altered anatomy of the larynx (small and
diamond shaped) and epiglottis (small and hypotonic) in
combination with higher centre influences, is thought to be
responsible for the ‘‘cat-like’’ cry. It has been proposed that
during embryonic development, the larynx and rhombencephalic
region of the brain are malformed. The characteristic cry usually disappears over time and approximately one-third of children no
longer exhibit the ‘‘cat-like’’ cry by the age of 2 years.2