World Day for Down Syndrome

March 21, 2013

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Today, March 21, was selected as the ‘International Day Down Syndrome’, and during the days before and after, the Down syndrome organizations around the world organize and participate in events to raise awareness of the existence and needs that causes Down Syndrome.

The syndrome was discovered in 1959 as a chromosome disorder and is a current issue permanent affects the daily life of a very varied in a wide range of people around the world.

An estimated of one in 733 babies are born with this syndrome. In the U.S. alone there are over 400,000 people with this syndrome.

The date was chosen by the Down Syndrome International since the number is significant for a tripling of the twenty-first chromosome (month 3, day 21).

The original idea was proposed by Stylianos E. Antonarakis, medical geneticist in Switzerland and adopted by ART21, their patient group. The first events were held in 2006 in Geneva.

Down syndrome is a chromosomal natural combination has always been part of the human condition, it exists in all regions of the world and usually has variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health.