Objective

This study aims to discuss the differential diagnosis for the pathological alterations displayed on an infant skeleton from Romania.

Materials

One infant skeleton retrieved form the bathhouse of an abandoned Roman fort and dated between the 2nd and the 4th centuries AD.

Methods

All available skeletal elements were analyzed macroscopically. In addition, the isotopic signatures (δ¹³C and δ1⁵N) and the control region of the human mitochondrial genome for this archaeological sample were analyzed.

Results

Based on dental development and long bone length, the skeleton was aged between birth and 2 months of age. Pathological lesions were noted on the mandible and diaphyses of long bones, but spared the metaphyses.

Conclusions

The perinatal age of the individual, along with lesion morphology and location, suggests a diagnosis of infantile cortical hyperostosis.

Limitations

The analysis would benefit from further stable isotope and mitochondrial genome analyses, which was limited due to the absence of comparative human and faunal remains from the site.

Suggestions for further research

Further multidisciplinary research on human archaeological remains from Romania would provide a clearer image of past disease and life histories in this geographic area.

中文翻译：

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公元 2-4 世纪罗马尼亚的一例可能的婴儿皮质骨质增生症病例。

 客观的

本研究旨在讨论罗马尼亚婴儿骨骼病理改变的鉴别诊断。

 材料

从一座废弃的罗马堡垒的浴室中打捞出的一具婴儿骨架，其年代可以追溯到公元 2 世纪至 4 世纪之间。

 方法

所有可用的骨骼元素都进行了宏观分析。此外，还分析了该考古样本的人类线粒体基因组的同位素特征（ δ ¹³ C 和δ 1 ⁵ N）和控制区域。

 结果

根据牙齿发育和长骨长度，骨骼在出生至两个月大之间老化。下颌骨和长骨骨干上发现病理损伤，但干骺端未受影响。

 结论

个体的围产期年龄以及病变的形态和位置提示婴儿皮质骨质增生症的诊断。

 局限性

该分析将受益于进一步的稳定同位素和线粒体基因组分析，由于该地点缺乏可比较的人类和动物遗骸，该分析受到限制。

进一步研究的建议

对罗马尼亚人类考古遗骸的进一步多学科研究将为该地理区域过去的疾病和生活史提供更清晰的图像。