Developmental, diachronic, and demographic analysis of cribra orbitalia in the medieval christian populations of Kulubnarti

Abstract

Previous analysis of cribra orbitalia in the medieval populations of Kulubnarti focused only on the presence or absence of the lesion relative to age, sex, and cultural period. Demographic consideration of the lesion was limited to a gross comparison of lesion frequencies and probabilities of dying by age group. The scope of the earlier work has been expanded in the present research to include the consideration of cribra orbitalia from a developmental, demographic, and diachronic perspective. The sample consisted of the same 334 crania analyzed by Van Gerven et al. ([1981] J. Hum. Evol. 10:395-408). All skulls showing the lesion were dichotomized as active or healing, and separate life tables were constructed for those with lesions and those without. The results demonstrate that active lesions are confined entirely to infancy and childhood with formation beginning as early as six months and ending by the twelfth year. This childhood pattern is consistent with the iron deficiency anemia hypothesis proposed by Carlson et al. ([1974] J. Hum. Evol. 3:405-410). Among young adults (16-40), healing lesions occur more frequently in males than females. In the older age categories, however, females exhibit a higher frequency of partially healed lesions than males. A life table comparison of those with and those without cribra orbitalia reveals a dramatic reduction in mean life expectancy for those with the lesion across the formative childhood years (birth-16). This reduction peaks at age 5 where 78% of the children exhibit lesions and where they, as a group, have a mean life expectancy 15.5 years below those without the lesion.

Skeletal and dental indicators of health in the late mediaeval (12–15th century) population from Nin, southern Croatia

“…However, today most authors recognize that cribra orbitalia are the result of iron deficiency anemia which is usually defined as a reduction of haemoglobin and haematocrit in the blood below normal levels (e.g. HussAshmore et al, 1982;Mensforth et al, 1978;Mittler and Van Gerven, 1994;StuartMacadam, 1985StuartMacadam, , 1991. Hengen (1971) concluded that iron deficiency anemia is primarily the result of parasitism, while Stuart-Macadam (1992) suggested that this type of anemia is an adjustment of the organism to the disease, and its attempt to exhaust and starve pathogens such as bacteria and viruses that need iron in order to be able to reproduce in the body of the host.…”

“…All skulls with preserved both orbital roofs were macroscopically examined under powerful illumination for the possible presence of cribra orbitalia. All observed lesions were classified based on intensity (mild, moderate or severe) and condition (active or healed) at time of death according to criteria proposed by Mensforth et al (1978), and Mittler and Van Gerven (1994).…”

A Palaeopathological Assessment of the Late 19th and Early 20th Century Khoesan

“…Microporosities may be present. Remodelled lesions have a smooth appearance and may lack microporosity, as new bone formation will obliterate peripheral pores (Mensforth et al, 1978;Mittler & Van Gerven, 1994).…”

Prevalence and etiology of acquired anemia in Medieval York, England

“…Acquired iron-deficiency anemia is characterized by subnormal intake and/or absorption of iron into the individual's system, and has been the most popular explanation for the development of anemia in archaeological populations (El-Najjar et al, 1976;Grauer, 1989Grauer, , 1993Lallo et al, 1977;Mensforth et al, 1978;Mittler and Van Gerven, 1994;Stuart-Macadam, 1991;Walker, 1986). Hemoglobin concentrations, serum iron, and storage iron are low, while the lack of available iron produces a high total iron-binding capacity in the circulating transferrin proteins that are responsible for transporting iron to various bodily tissues (Table 1; Cook, 1990;Dallman et al, 1980).…”