Down's syndrome: Growing efforts to meet the challenges in the Arab countries.

Introduction by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour

Since 2012, March 21st has been observed by the United

Nations (UN) as the World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) and each year the collective voice of people with Down syndrome, their families, and those in their support community grows louder and louder.

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Down syndrome is one of the most common and famous chromosomal anomalies affecting approximately 1 in every 800 births, although higher incidence rates occur with increasing maternal age. In general, the number of chromosomes in the case of Down syndrome is 47 instead of 46; this is due to having one extra chromosome (number 21) in addition to the normally existing pair (one from each parent). This is why Down syndrome is also referred to as "trisomy 21"; However, the disorder can also be caused by partial trisomy, which results from harboring one extra copy of part of chromosome 21 attached to another chromosome.

Down syndrome

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The impacts of Down syndrome

• Undoubtedly the impacts of Down syndrome are immense on the person, the family and the society as a whole. The individuality of DS person is of massive importance when considering provision of care, special education, social and healthcare on a large scale.

by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour,MD 4

Higher Incidence= More Challenges in the Arab Region

Arab countries are in dire need to address these issues because studies strongly indicate that the incidence of DS is higher than international figures. For example, DS incidence rate among UAE-nationals in Dubai is (1:319), Oman (1:500) and Qatar (1:546), Saudi Arabia (1:554) and Kuwait (1:581). Reasons behind this High incidence of DS in Arab countries has been attributed to a number of factors such as the widely-spread practice of consanguineous marriages, as well as increased maternal age.

by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour,MD 5

Global progress

Fortunately the world has achieved a remarkable progress in terms of raised knowledge and awareness about DS in many countries around the world, especially during and after the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992), but still there is a need for improvement and inclusion.

by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour,MD 6

Meeting the Challenges

• During the last two decades, national societies and non-profit organizations were established and developed in all Arab countries. This will better meet the needs of children with Down syndrome and help promote their rights to quality lives alongside their other members of society. Efforts have been conducted to empower families in order to provide support, advocate for opportunities and choices and empower people with Down syndrome to express their own views and make their own decisions, as well as advocate for themselves. It is important to remind everybody that persons with Down syndrome are people first, and require additional support, but should be recognized by society on an equal basis with others, without discrimination on the basis of disability.

by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour,MD 7

Continuing Public Education and Awareness

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Some Landmark Events • Landmark events were conducted during the last

years including: • 1st MENA Regional Special Olympic Games in Cairo,

Egypt, 1999. • 1st Arab conference on Down's syndrome, UAE 2007. • 7th MENA Regional Special Olympic Games and

festival in Damascus, Syria, 2010. • International Emirates Conference on Down's

syndrome, UAE 2015. • Bahrain announced its plan to conduct an

international conference this year in 2016.

by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour,MD 9

Let’s Maintain the Momentum and Move Past the Challenges

by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour,MD 10

Together we make a tangible difference