| Abstract: | In this report, we describe the first potential case of hereditary anaemia from the Middle Euphrates valley (Syria). The skeletal changes identified in the studied specimen were consistent with marrow hyperplasia, and the distribution, especially the involvement of the facial bones, the sternum and ribs, was suggestive of thalassemia. The identified haplotype indicates M4b1 haplogroup suggesting that the analysed specimen was either a newcomer from Asia or a descendent of Asian origin in the maternal line, most likely from the Indian Peninsula where characteristic mutations of mtDNA can be identified today. The genetic data might explain a case of thalassemia in the Syrian lower Euphrates valley. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
