The Epidemiology of Spina Bifida in Ireland: an Anthropological Approach

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.