Evaluating Alcohol Related Birth Defects in the past: Skeletal and biochemical evidence from a colonial rum producing community in Barbados, West Indies.

摘要: Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD) are yet undocumented among past communities, although alcohol is the leading cause of non-heritable birth defects in US today. We evaluate potential ARBD at Newton Plantation, Barbados (ca. 1660-1820), where earlier studies suggest frequent, community-wide consumption lead-tainted rum by enslaved Africans. Skeletons excavated 1997-1998 (n=45) were examined for congenital anomalies, using clinical/experimental descriptions to differentially diagnose possible ARBD. Enamel lead data served as a proxy developmental exposure tainted subsample (n=26). Elevated enamel (3.8μg/g), vertebral synostosis, and micrognathism one subadult fit expectations exposure. An adult male with low (0.3μg/g) had but not those described ethanol or exposures. Contrary expectations, we did identify most individuals, including isotopic signatures Barbadian origin who also showed consistently elevated dental levels. discuss how such patterns may have emerged from timing exposures colonial medical practices, underreporting remains likely concern ARBD, present. Ours first attempt explore use archeologically. report case community.