The Role of Diet, Disease, and Physiology in the Origin of Porotic Hyperostosis

Document Type

Article

Authors

John W. Lallo, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
George J. Armelagos, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Masschusetts
Robert P. Mensforth, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio

Abstract

Subadult crania from four skeletal populations were examined for the presence of porotic hyperostotic lesions such as cribra orbitalia, osteoporotic pitting, and spongy hyperostosis. The sample of 269 specimens included hunting and gathering (Late Woodland, A.D. 900-1050), transitional (Mississippian Acculturated Late Woodland, A.D. 10.50-11.50), and agricultural (Middle Mississippian, A.D. 11.50-13.50) groups from Dickson Mounds and an agricultural population (A.D. 1490 ± 55) from Eiden in Lorain, Ohio. The results suggest that: the frequency of porotic hyperostosis is significantly higher (p < .01) and more severe in the agricultural populations than in the hunting and gathering group; cribra orbitalia is the initial osseous manifestation of porotic hyperostosis with osteoporotic pitting and spongy hyperostosis occurring secondarily; and that there is a significant (p < . (X) 1) association between porotic hyperostosis and infectious disease. The age of onset of porotic hyperostosis and the relationship to infectious disease suggest an interaction of biological and cultural factors. These findings suggest that the “synergistic” interaction of dietary iron deficiency, the “anemia of infection, ” child physiology, and cultural behavior are instrumental in the etiology of porotic hyperostosis.

Recommended Citation

Lallo, John W.; Armelagos, George J.; and Mensforth, Robert P. (1977) "The Role of Diet, Disease, and Physiology in the Origin of Porotic Hyperostosis," Human Biology: Vol. 49: Iss. 3, Article 19.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol49/iss3/19