Oldest known case of Down’s syndrome discovered

Despite the condition not officially being recognised until the 19th century, cases of Down’s syndrome have existed throughout human history.

The body of a 5- to 7-year-old (pictured) was found in a 6th century necropolis in 
Saint-Jean-des-Vignes, France. Researchers used CT scans to compare 
the skull to other individuals of the same age and location 
[Credit: University of Bordeaux]

References in archaeological records are extremely rare, but researchers from France believe they have found a child's skull showing the earliest signs of the disorder dating back to the 5th century.

The body of the child was also found buried in the same position and location as others in the necropolis - and archaeologists believe this means the five- to seven-year-old wouldn't have been stigmatised or treated any differently when they were alive.

The remains were found by archaeologists from the University of Bordeaux in a necropolis that dates back to the 5th century. The sex of the child is unknown. They were placed in the grounds of a church in Saint-Jean-des-Vignes in Eastern France.

Using a combination of morphological and radiographic techniques, metrical data and scans, the skull of the child was compared with those belonging to people of similar age and location.

They found the skull exhibited signs of brachycrany and metopism, in which the skull is short and broad with a disfigurement of the forehead.

There was also evidence that the rear of the skull was flattened, and the teeth were inflamed. This combination of features is consistent with modern-day diagnoses of Down’s syndrome.

The skull revealed features including a flattened occiput at the back of the skull and 
tooth inflammation that are consistent with diagnosis of Down's syndrome
 [Credit: University of Bordeaux]

Although less diagnostic, but important when taken in combination with the other features, the researchers also noted an absence of the frontal sinuses, a small face, low and thin mandibular ramus - jawbone running below each ear - and dental defects.

According to the archaeologists, cases of Down’s syndrome in past populations are rare, frequently poorly described or discovered out of context.

This case, therefore, represents the earliest and youngest example of the condition in the archaeological record.

Prior to this, a possible case in a nine-year-old child from England, dating back to 700 to 900 AD was found with a selection of these features.

Elsewhere, Professor Maïté Rivollat and his colleagues at the university also noted that the context and funerary treatment of the child suggests that they were was not stigmatised by other members of the community.

For example, the child was placed on its back in the tomb, facing from east to west, with the head at the westward end.

Although less diagnostic, but as important when taken in combination with the other features,
 the researchers also noted an absence of the frontal sinuses, a small face, low and thin 
mandibular ramus - jawbone running below each ear - and dental defects 
[Credit: University of Bordeaux]

Other bodies discovered in the necropolis were found in the same position, suggesting that the child’s burial was no different – and archaeologists believe this meant the infant wouldn’t have been treated any differently when they were alive. The cause of death, however, is unknown.

‘The results of our [study] lead us to conclude that the Saint-Jean-des-Vignes cranial skeleton reflects an individual who suffered from Down syndrome.

‘To our knowledge, this child represents the earliest and youngest case of this pathology.

‘It should be emphasised that, unlike previous published cases, the archaeological context is well known here, and provides evidence that this child was treated like the healthy members of the community.’

Author:  Victoria Woollaston | Source: Daily Mail [July 08, 2014]