This study states that Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality encountered by primary care physicians (1). Its live birth incidence is 1/700–800 with a global incidence of about 200 000 cases/year (2). In the past, the care of DS children was often managed through specialty services, with the family physician serving a secondary role. Shifts in the health care environment have altered this model worldwide, with today’s primary care physicians taking on a greater role in care coordination. 

Egypt is starting the ‘Family Healthcare Services for All by 2030’ model, and it is time to include health and social needs of all civilians including disabled children and their families. The family health model will provide the basic package of primary health care (PHC) and public health services through National Health Insurance program. The law states that PHC facilities act as the first level of contact, and that the family doctor should receive special training in family medicine. Hence, the promising role of family/primary care physicians comes in Egypt as regards the care of DS children and their caregivers.

Children with DS have variable degrees of intellectual disability, and are more dependent on their families specially in self-care activities such as personal hygiene, dressing, talking and walking (5). Many DS children also suffered from comorbidities such as immunological disorders, hypothyroidism (6) and congenital heart diseases (CHDs).

 

Reference link-https://academic.oup.com/fampra/article/38/2/159/5917747

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