World Down Syndrome Day 2018

Why is Down Syndrome Day celebrated?

World Down’s syndrome day is celebrated to create awareness about the unique abilities of people with Down’s syndrome. Approximately 6 million people are living in the world with this condition. On this National Down’s syndrome day, we celebrate the triplication of chromosome 21 which is the genetic composition of children with Down’s syndrome. The day is celebrated since 2012 with the recommendation of United Nations General Assembly. The British doctor, John Langdon Down, was the first person to have clinically identified the condition in 1866, following which the condition was named after his name. The estimated incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide. A prevalence rate of 1 in 1000 was reported for Down’s syndrome in India (Verma et al, 1998).

World Down Syndrome Day

• Indian government in their new RPwD act( Rights to person with disability Act ) 2016 lays complete emphasis on one’s right to equality and opportunity, right to inherit and own property, right to home and family and reproductive rights , taking one step forward towards equity and equality for all irrespective of their differences
• It is important to bring awareness amongst people on the availability of early intervention services in the district early intervention centres (DEIC) as per the RBSK ( Rashtriya Bal Swasth Kariyakram) under National Health Mission aiming at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years to diagnose 4 ‘D’s -Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, Development delays including disability
• Child health screening and early intervention services cover 30 selected health conditions (Down syndrome is one of them) for screening, early detection and free management. Most people have 46 chromosomes in all of their cells, but in people with Down syndrome they have 47 chromosomes and because of that they look differently and learn differently
• Advances in medical technology have led to a longer life expectancy in individuals with Down’s syndrome than ever before. The quality of life of person with Down syndrome can be improved by providing and increasing availability of medical facilities and by catering to their various health care needs by providing and promoting regular health check-ups by medical professionals
• Monitoring their physical growth and mental development. To provide them with timely interventions in the form of physiotherapy, counselling or special education. Time to time guidance for parents and community to provide optimal quality of life through parental care and support, medical guidance and community based support systems like special schools
• This facilitates their participation in mainstream society and the fulfilment of their personal potential. People with Down syndrome share a number of physical characteristics. Not everyone suffering from the syndrome will have all of them but they may include some
• Decreased muscle tone resulting in floppiness, small nose and flat nasal bridge, Small head, ears and mouth, Eyes slant upwards and outwards, Groove between the first and second toe (sandal gap), Broad hands with short fingers, Palm may have only one crease (palmar crease), Below average weight and length at birth

This World Down Syndrome day, let us all pledge to spread awareness about down syndrome and try for the upliftment of the one suffering from it. World will only be a better place to live in, if we try to make it.

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