World Down Syndrome Day (21/03)

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. This date was included in the calendar in 2005. The initiative belonged to the participants of the VI symposium dedicated to this topic. In 2011, the UN General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day (resolution №A/RES/66/149).

The General Assembly decided that the Day would be celebrated on 21 March every year since 2012 and invited all Member States, relevant UN organizations and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to appropriately observe World Day people with Down syndrome in order to raise public awareness of the disease.

Down syndrome is a form of naturally developing congenital genomic pathology, common in all regions of the world and often leading to changes in motor skills, physical characteristics and health. Adequate access to health care, early intervention and inclusive education programs, and research are vital to the growth and development of patients.

The estimated incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide. Every year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosomal disorder.

The date March 21 itself was not chosen by chance — is a symbolic designation for Down syndrome itself, the cause of which is trisomy of one of the chromosomes: in a person suffering from this disease, chromosome 21 is present in three copies. Translated into « language of the calendar», it turned out to be the 21st day of the third month.

The English physician John Langdon Down (1828-1896) was the first to describe the syndrome, which later received his name, as a form of mental illness in 1862. The connection between the origin of congenital syndrome and the number of chromosomes was revealed in 1959 by the French geneticist Jérôme Lejeune (1926-1994).



Perhaps the current name of the syndrome will be changed to something else. The US National Institutes of Health has already recommended eliminating the possessive form in the name of the syndrome, arguing that Dr. Down himself did not suffer from this disorder.

Down syndrome is characterized by a certain set of physiological characteristics — such as «flat face», skin fold on the neck, joint hypermobility, muscle hypotension and some others. And most importantly, a child with such a disorder develops noticeably slower than his peers.

Despite the common belief that such children are unable to learn, they may well learn both self-care skills and more complex activities. In Moscow there is even the only theater in the world where all people have Down syndrome. The troupe, called « Simple», successfully tours and gathers full houses.

The quality of life of patients with Down syndrome can be improved by meeting their medical needs, which include: regular examinations with health workers to control psycho-physical development and ensure timely intervention, be it physiotherapy, counseling or special education. Down syndrome patients can achieve an optimal quality of life through parental care and support, medical advice, and community support systems such as special schools. This facilitates their participation in public life and the development of their personal potential.

On this Day itself, various charitable and educational events, events and concerts, conferences and seminars are held in many countries around the world. In the media, this date is used to inform people about Down syndrome and the people who live with it.



• Infographics – poster «March 21 — World Down Syndrome Day» • Article «Health-depriving chromosome»

1342