We have all heard or been the subject of parents saying to be sure to eat your vegetables to grow strong. It may seem unnecessary, but in the case of young children, it really is important that they are reminded to eat. It has been found in several cases, after death, that a few individuals were malnourished when young children. How? There are a few indicators; one is from enamel hypoplasias (lines on teeth), which causes growth arrest and happens between the ages of 0-8. With the enamel, which is more useful because teeth do not remodel, the cause for the LEH (Linear enamel hypoplasia) can be because of two factors: malnutrition or high fever. This case can cause dental wear problems later in life.
The other indicator is known by the name Harris lines which are named after the Welsh anatomist, Henry Albert Harris. What Harris lines are is the disruption of long-bone growth. These can be found in x-rays, but because these lines happen on the bone, the bone will remodel over time, which in turn will cause the loss of them (so less useful than LEH). Formation of Harris lines can happen after as few as four days, but this is usually happening after chronic stress. Sometimes they can form in individuals with no history of disease or do not form in those with mild-moderate events. That said, Harris lines are up to eight times more common in children with repeated malnutrition or chronic disease. Now I used “less useful” when speaking of Harris lines; less useful for what? When it is suspected a family is either mistreating or not feeding a child if there are not any Harris lines the second piece of evidence they look for is LEH (examples of both below).
The other indicator is known by the name Harris lines which are named after the Welsh anatomist, Henry Albert Harris. What Harris lines are is the disruption of long-bone growth. These can be found in x-rays, but because these lines happen on the bone, the bone will remodel over time, which in turn will cause the loss of them (so less useful than LEH). Formation of Harris lines can happen after as few as four days, but this is usually happening after chronic stress. Sometimes they can form in individuals with no history of disease or do not form in those with mild-moderate events. That said, Harris lines are up to eight times more common in children with repeated malnutrition or chronic disease. Now I used “less useful” when speaking of Harris lines; less useful for what? When it is suspected a family is either mistreating or not feeding a child if there are not any Harris lines the second piece of evidence they look for is LEH (examples of both below).
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So ends another fun, albeit slightly depressing, fact Friday. If you have an itching to get to the bottom of a small fact that has been festering in your mind, or if you have a blog topic you would like me to cover, or if you would just like to express your thoughts on this first Fun Fact Friday, please feel free to comment below.
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