Frequency and chronological distribution of linear enamel hypoplasia in a North American colonial skeletal sample

Abstract

A skeletal sample of 44 individuals born and raised in early 18th century frontier settlements of Northeastern United States is examined for the frequency and chronological distribution of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) on the maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines. The prevalence of LEH ranged from 31% on the I2 to 66% on the mandibular C and the mean number of defects ranged from .59 on the I2 to 1.08 on the mandibular C. These frequencies were generally lower than those reported for two later samples; the Monroe County Poorhouse sample and the Hammon-Todd sample. Individuals in these latter two samples were derived from the lowest socioeconomic stratum of their respective populations. Frequency differences are explained within the context of the changing availability of resources that resulted from the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and wage labor which took place during the 18th and 19th centuries. The frequency of LEH was low prior to 1.5 years of age and may result from attrition and/or decreased susceptibility in the relevant area of the crown or from low morbidity or high mortality. Peak frequencies are observed in all age categories ranging from 2.5 to 3.0 years up to 4.0 to 4.5 years and are too late to result from weaning. Instead, they may reflect the susceptibility of nonimmune children to diseases that were common in colonial North America. As the majority of these diseases were not fatal, most victims who survived may have had one or more LEHs as visible proof of their earlier encounter(s).

Preliminary analysis of regional differences in dental pathology of early modern commoners in Japan

“…Causative conditions include nutritional deficiencies, endocrine disorders, and infectious diseases, primarily congenital syphilis (Ishikawa and Akiyoshi, 1978;Pindborg, 1982). Endemic and severe EHP in a population can indicate exposure to extreme stress during childhood and generally hard and poor living conditions (Goodman et al, 1980;Lanphear, 1990;Ubelaker, 1992;Wood, 1996;Malville, 1997). The present results suggest that commoners in Miwanoyama were exposed to greater stress during childhood, and that the living conditions of the Miwanoyama commoners were harder and poorer than those of the Kyoumachi commoners.…”

Missing defects? A comparison of microscopic and macroscopic approaches to identifying linear enamel hypoplasia

“…This discrepancy in observation may go some way to explaining the different mean ages of defect presence or even the theoretical existence of "peak" ages of defect formation reported in previous research utilizing macroscopic observation that are frequently attributed to the deleterious of impact of weaning on health (e.g., Moggi-Cecchi et al, 1994;Wood, 1996;Santos and Coimbra, 1999;Saunders and Keenleyside, 1999). The distribution of defects observed using the Macro method seem to occur in a "saw tooth," punctuated pattern, whereas the defects observed by the Micro method occur in a more regular distribution.…”

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

“…Specifically, several studies (e.g. Goodman et al, 1980;Wood, 1996) showed that a sudden increase in the frequency of dental enamel hypoplasia occurred during the transition from a hunter-gatherer economy to an economy based on agriculture. It is believed that a sedentary lifestyle, dietary changes, and rapid population growth led to a significant increase in the amount of stress that is reflected in an increasing incidence of hypoplastic defects (Cohen and Armelagos, 1984).…”