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Researchers have reported chromosomal disorders discovered from prehistoric skeletal remains, dating up to approximately 5,500 years old.
It including six cases of Down syndrome and one case of Edwards syndrome.
According to the authors of a paper published in the journalNatureCommunications, the findings may represent the first time Edwards syndrome has been identified from historic or prehistoric remains.
Individuals with chromosomal trisomy carry three copies of a chromosome in their cells, instead of two.
Trisomy of chromosomes number 21 or 18 results in Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome, respectively.
There have only been a few documented cases of Down syndrome in ancient individuals, largely owing to difficulties in identifying genetic disorders without modern techniques for analysing ancient DNA samples.
How certain ancient societies were affected by and responded to genetic disorders remains elusive.
What is Edwards syndrome?
Edward syndrome, also known as trisomy 18, is a serious genetic condition that affects a baby's development.
It is caused by an error in cell division that results in an extra copy of chromosome 18.
This extra chromosome disrupts the normal instructions for development, leading to multiple physical abnormalities and intellectual disabilities.
Symptoms of Edward syndrome
Small head size (microcephaly)
Clenched fists with overlapping fingers
Low-set ears
Small jaw and mouth
Heart defects
Kidney problems
Cleft lip and palate
Omphalocele (abdominal wall defect)
Clubfoot
Causes of Edward syndrome
Edward syndrome is not caused by anything the parents did or did not do.
It is a random event that occurs during cell division.
The risk of having a baby with Edward syndrome increases with the mother's age.
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