Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Brown, Clifford T.

Abstract

A sample of 97 human skeletal remains from Ireland were examined to investigate the etiology of spina bifida, a form of neural tube defect. It is unclear whether the disease results from environmental or genetic causes. Collections of human remains from three sites dated to nineteenth century were studied in an attempt to identify the period during which the prehistoric rates of spina bifida rose to modern levels. In these collections, nineteenth century spina bifida rates were higher than either prehistoric or modern rates. Thus, nineteenth century Ireland experienced peak rates of spina bifida. Nutrition in modern day Ireland has vastly improved, and the frequency of spina bifida has decreased; however, the amount of neural tube defects has not diminished to rates found in the United States or even England. Inquiry into Ireland's connection with spina bifida will increase understanding of the persistence of high rates in modern times.

Extent

101 p.

Comments

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters|Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

Identifier

FA00000944

Format

pdf

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