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Skeletal evidence for hyperparathyroidism in a 19th century child with rickets
Author(s) -
Mays S.,
Brickley M.,
Ives R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of osteoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1099-1212
pISSN - 1047-482X
DOI - 10.1002/oa.854
Subject(s) - rickets , hyperparathyroidism , paleopathology , medicine , secondary hyperparathyroidism , vitamin d and neurology , pathology , surgery , calcium , parathyroid hormone
The skeletal remains of a child aged 2.5–3.5 years, recovered during archaeological excavations at the churchyard of St Martin's Church, Birmingham, UK, were examined using gross observation, radiography and scanning electron microscopy. Lesions suggestive of the presence of rickets and of secondary hyperparathyroidism were found. This appears to be a first report of secondary hyperparathyroidism in response to rickets in a palaeopathological specimen. The potential of microscopic examination of bone for interpreting disease processes is emphasised. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.