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A comment on Scientists find genetic signature of Down syndrome in ancient bones. Parent comment

Re:Scientists find genetic signature of Down syndrome in anc... by ribosometronome on Wednesday February 28, 2024 @08:40PM (#39545691)
>Somewhat belied by the fact that all of the positives were among children under the age of 1. They didn’t make it very far.

The average life expectancy of someone with Trisomy 21 was only 10 as recently as 1960.

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Re:Scientists find genetic signature of Down syndrome in anc... by mytailorisrich on Thursday February 29, 2024 @02:40AM (#39547184)
In addition, I believe that infant mortality in ancient Rome was perhaps 30% (so 1/3 died before one). I don't know if that can be generalised but it was tough for everyone to begin with.
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Re:Scientists find genetic signature of Down syndrome in anc... by inglor_cz on Thursday February 29, 2024 @04:25AM (#39547786)
Mortality of young children was historically so high that some cultures didn't even give them names until they were 5 or so, to avoid emotional attachment.
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Re:Scientists find genetic signature of Down syndrome in anc... by Tabular-Iceberg on Thursday February 29, 2024 @06:15AM (#39548059)
Emotionally cold parents in the most vital stages of development probably didn’t help their chances of survival either.
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