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<JournalTitle>Journal of Medical and Surgical Research</JournalTitle>
<PISSN>I</PISSN>
<EISSN>S</EISSN>
<Volume-Issue>Vol. XII, n 2</Volume-Issue>
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<IssueTopic>Multidisciplinary</IssueTopic>
<IssueLanguage>English</IssueLanguage>
<Season>December 2025</Season>
<SpecialIssue>N</SpecialIssue>
<SupplementaryIssue>N</SupplementaryIssue>
<IssueOA>Y</IssueOA>
<PubDate>
<Year>2025</Year>
<Month>12</Month>
<Day>31</Day>
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<ArticleType>Mini Review</ArticleType>
<ArticleTitle>Down syndrome in morocco: review of available data and health system challenges</ArticleTitle>
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<ArticleLanguage>English</ArticleLanguage>
<ArticleOA>Y</ArticleOA>
<FirstPage>1496</FirstPage>
<LastPage>1501</LastPage>
<AuthorList>
<Author>
<FirstName>Karima</FirstName>
<LastName>Rahali</LastName>
<AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage>
<Affiliation/>
<CorrespondingAuthor>N</CorrespondingAuthor>
<ORCID/>
<FirstName>Hanane</FirstName>
<LastName>Azargui</LastName>
<AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage>
<Affiliation/>
<CorrespondingAuthor>Y</CorrespondingAuthor>
<ORCID/>
<FirstName>Afaf</FirstName>
<LastName>Chenaichek</LastName>
<AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage>
<Affiliation/>
<CorrespondingAuthor>Y</CorrespondingAuthor>
<ORCID/>
<FirstName>Amina</FirstName>
<LastName>Barkat</LastName>
<AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage>
<Affiliation/>
<CorrespondingAuthor>Y</CorrespondingAuthor>
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<Abstract>Introduction: Down syndrome (DS) represents the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability globally, but comprehensive epidemiological data from transitioning health systems remain limited. Morocco__ampersandsignrsquo;s recent implementation of universal health coverage offers a unique opportunity to examine DS epidemiology in evolving healthcare contexts.
Objective: To examine and synthesize available data on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and care delivery patterns of Down syndrome in Morocco, and identify opportunities for health system strengthening.
Methods: In addition to analyzing policy reports and health system documentation, we carried out a narrative review of the body of literature that was available on DS patterns in Morocco. Database searches and institutional repositories were used to find sources, and the quality of the available data was evaluated.
Results: Limited but valuable data reveal DS epidemiological patterns consistent with international data, although significant health system challenges persist. Available studies demonstrate standard cytogenetic distributions and maternal age associations, but also identified critical gaps in surveillance infrastructure, regional access disparities, and integration of genetic services into primary care systems.
Conclusions: While Morocco__ampersandsignrsquo;s data are limited, available evidence suggests important opportunities to strengthen genetic service delivery in transitioning health systems. Findings underscore the need for improved surveillance infrastructure, regional service networks, and integration of genetic counseling into universal health coverage frameworks.</Abstract>
<AbstractLanguage>English</AbstractLanguage>
<Keywords>Down syndrome, Morocco, narrative review, health systems, universal health coverage, transitioning health systems, North Africa</Keywords>
<URLs>
<Abstract>https://www.journal-jmsr.net/ubijournal-v1copy/journals/abstract.php?article_id=16154&title=Down syndrome in morocco: review of available data and health system challenges</Abstract>
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<References>
<ReferencesarticleTitle>References</ReferencesarticleTitle>
<ReferencesfirstPage>16</ReferencesfirstPage>
<ReferenceslastPage>19</ReferenceslastPage>
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