Introduction to Down's syndrome in the Arab region, prevelance, challenges and Growing efforts to meet the challenges in the Arab countries.by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour

1. Down's syndrome: Growing efforts to meet the
challenges in the Arab countries.
Introduction by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour

2. 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.
2by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour, MD

3. 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
3by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour, MD

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Continuing Public Education and Awareness
8by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour, MD

9. 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

10. Let’s Maintain the Momentum and Move Past
the Challenges
by Dr. Ghassan Shahrour,MD 10
Together we make a tangible
difference