New findings unveiled by a recent study shed light on the pervasive issue of vitamin D deficiency during childhood in industrialized England, as illuminated by evidence gleaned from teeth. Published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on January 31, 2024, the research, led by Anne Marie Snoddy from the University of Otago, New Zealand, and her collaborators, unveils compelling insights into the health landscape of 18th and 19th century AD England amidst the throes of industrialization and urban expansion.
Amidst the burgeoning industrial era, England witnessed a surge in health ailments, including the insidious scourge of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and its attendant afflictions like rickets, often entwined with evolving social norms associated with class and gender.
The excavation site at Coach Lane in Northern England has been a focal point for uncovering insights into the health of past populations. Building upon previous research delineating rickets based on skeletal evidence, Snoddy and her team ventured further, delving into the annals of dental tissue.
By scrutinizing the teeth of 25 individuals interred at the site, the researchers discerned telltale signs of poorly mineralized dentin tissue, indicative of bouts of VDD during childhood. Furthermore, analysis of enamel peptides facilitated the identification of chromosomal sex among certain individuals.
The findings resonate with a resounding revelation: approximately three-quarters of the sampled individuals bore witness to episodes of impaired mineral metabolism during their formative years, with males bearing a disproportionately higher burden. Notably, some individuals exhibited recurrent disruptions in tooth tissue development, hinting at the cyclical nature of seasonal disorders.
These revelations underscore a more pervasive prevalence of VDD than previously acknowledged, challenging prior assumptions drawn solely from skeletal evidence. The gender disparity in VDD incidence hints at the nuanced interplay of social dynamics, including gendered work practices, prevalent in industrial England.
The authors advocate for further exploration, envisioning a landscape where alternative proxies for VDD and associated maladies can be explored, alongside comparative analyses spanning diverse geographical locales.
In the authors’ own words, “The findings unveil unequivocal evidence of seasonal vitamin D deficiency etched in the teeth of Northern England residents. This underscores the profound impact of latitude and seasonal sunlight deprivation, transcending simplistic narratives of industrial revolution dynamics such as indoor labor.”
Source: Public Library of Science