What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome (or Trisomy 21) is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines in approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide. Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.
First World Down syndrome Day was celebrated in 2012.
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is observed every year on 21 March. It is a global campaign which is observed annually to spread awareness about Down syndrome. The date itself has been selected for very clever reasons; it is held on the 21st day of the 3rd month, which is a hat-tip to the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which leads to Down syndrome.
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) 2022 Theme
This year, the theme for World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is ‘#InclusionMeans’. It highlights the importance of collective understanding and global conversation about Down Syndrome, which will empower people around the world to advocate for full inclusion in society for people with Down syndrome and disabilities.
Symptoms of Down syndrome
Individual Down syndrome symptoms can range from mild to severe intellectual and developmental impairments, with some people arriving in normal health and others presenting with catastrophic health problems such as heart defects.
Although Down syndrome infants are normally of ordinary size, they grow slowly and remain shorter than other children their age. The majority of Down syndrome children have mild to moderate cognitive impairment, with both short and long-term memory compromised as well as delayed language.
Average life expectancy
Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has grown considerably; people with Down syndrome can now expect to live for more than 60 years, depending on their health concerns.
Treatment
Although there is no specific treatment for Down syndrome, there are a number of therapies that can help with the condition’s problems. As a result, screening children for these disorders at frequent intervals during their childhood is crucial.
It’s not my extra chromosome that makes me happy, it’s because I AM LOVED…
