Betatalasemia en un niño de una necrópolis del Imperio Nuevo (Luxor, Egipto). Estudio macroscópico y radiológico

Abstract

Objective To present a probable case of beta-thalassemia found in the skull of an Egyptian child of about 3000 years of antiquity. Material and methods A partially mummified skull of a child was found in the area of the Theban nobles’ tombs, inside the necropolis of Deir-El-Bahari (Luxor, Egypt). The skull is well preserved and was archaeologically ascribed to the 18th-21st Dynasties, c. 1550–945 years B.C. Macroscopical and radiographic study was done, using a BV portable pulsera from Philips. Results The skull shows macroscopical and radiographical features compatibles with the diagnostic of beta-thalassemia. The main pathological traits can be summarized as follows: important symmetrical porotic hyperostosis, affecting both parietals; generalized growth of the diploe all over the calvaria; premature synostosis of both the coronal and saggital sutures; and, above all, a typical radiographical image with hair-on-end appearance. It is remarkable that cribra orbitalia was not observed in the orbital roofs. Conclusions The skull comes from a geographical region where the beta-thalassemia is endemic and presents high frequencies (countries around the Mediterranean area). The age at death was estimated around 6–8 years old, and it fits well with the life expectancy observed for this pathological condition in children without access to continuous blood transfusions.