Kuwait Observes World Down Syndrome Day

(News report)

KUWAIT, March 21 (KUNA) -- Kuwait on Friday marks the World Down Syndrome Day, which falls on March 21st, aiming at raising public awareness of Down Syndrome and supporting those with it.
Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21, causing an increase in the number of chromosomes from 46 to 47. It is not yet known why this syndrome occurs, but Down syndrome has always been a part of the human condition.
Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programs, and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of the individual.
On Kuwaiti health services in this regard, Head of the Kuwait Medical Genetic Center (KMGC) Dr. Laila Bastaki told KUNA that the center provides those with Down Syndrome with integrated services based on preimplantation genetic testing.
They also include fetal abnormality detection, postpartum diagnosis and intensive and continued follow-up for babies, she said, adding that follow-up is meant to prevent and detect relevant complications.
She elaborated that Down syndrome occurs dues to an abnormal number of chromosomes during the division of embryo cells immediately following the fertilization of the egg into the uterus.
This happens, she added, when a child is born with 47 chromosomes in lieu of the normal 46, due to an extra copy of chromosome 21, which can cause the body and brain to develop differently than a child without the syndrome.
Dr. Bastaki said that the Down incidence rate increases when the mother is over 40 years old and that the estimated incidence of Down syndrome is one in 800 children. However, one in 32 children is born with Down syndrome if the mother is over 45 years old, while one in 2,000 children has the problem when the mother is less than 32 years old.
She explained that symptoms mainly include facial abnormalities, delayed mental and physical growth, not to mention some complications bearing on heart, thyroids and intestines.
Down syndrome has three types, where chromosome 21 is present in three copies of the fetus instead of two, thus having 47 chromosomes, she said, adding that this type makes up the highest percentage (95 percent). In the second type, chromosome 21 is attached to one of chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21 and 22, accounting for roughly four percent of cases.
For her part, Secretary of the Kuwait Down Syndrome Association (KDSA) Maryam Al-Kandari said the society offers various services to those with Down syndrome, mainly including rehabilitation, training and educational programs, and life and job skill development.
The society also provides family support and guidance and organizes lectures and training courses for ways of dealing with children with Down syndrome, focusing on educational and societal integration, she told KUNA.
In addition, given the significance of sports activities for people with Down syndrome, especially regarding the improvement of knowledge and attention, the society carries out daily sports activities, Al-Kandari noted.
It, further, seeks to raise public awareness of the rights of those with Down syndrome in the society with a view to preventing discrimination against them and enabling them to express themselves so freely, she remarked.
As many as 400 people of different nationalities have benefitted from the societyآ's services, she said, estimating the number of people with Down syndrome in Kuwait at 4,000.
In December 2011, the General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day. The General Assembly decided, with effect from 2012, to observe World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year.
In order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome, the General Assembly invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner.
The estimated incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide. Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder.
It is a global awareness day that is intended to help people understand and support those with Down syndrome better. (end) mrf

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