Children at high altitude: an international consensus statement by an ad hoc committee of the International Society for Mountain Medicine, March 12, 2001

Acute mountain sickness: medical problems associated with acute and subacute exposure to hypobaric hypoxia

This article summarises the medical problems of travel to altitudes above 3000 m. These are caused by chronic hypoxia. Acute mountain sickness (AMS), a self limiting common illness is almost part of normal acclimatisation--a transient condition lasting for several days. However, in <2% of people staying above 4000 m, serious illnesses related to hypoxia develop--high altitude pulmonary oedema and cerebral oedema. These are potentially fatal but can be largely avoided by gradual ascent. Short vacations, pressure from travel companies and peer groups often encourage ascent to 4000 m more rapidly than is prudent. Sensible guidelines for ascent are outlined, clinical features, management and treatment of these conditions.

High-altitude–related disorders—part ii: prevention, special populations, and chronic medical conditions

This second section of a 2-part review on high-altitude-related disorders focuses on strategies for prevention of high-altitude illness, identification of populations at increased risk for high-altitude illness, and effects of high altitude on selected chronic medical conditions. Practical aspects of advising and educating patients traveling to high altitude will be discussed, with special reference to pregnant women, infants and young children, healthy elders, and chronic medical conditions that may place persons at greater risk for high-altitude illness. The special concerns of pre-verbal children will be covered relative to the risks of high altitude for those too young to voice symptoms of illness and, thus, at-risk for potential serious consequences caused by delay in diagnosis and treatment.

Prevention and Treatment of High-altitude Illness in Travelers

High-altitude illness is the collective term for acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). These syndromes can affect unacclimatized travelers shortly after ascent to high altitude (especially higher than 2500 m). AMS is relatively common and usually is mild and self-limiting; HACE and HAPE are uncommon but life-threatening. Gradual ascent is the best strategy for preventing or minimizing high-altitude illness, although chemoprophylaxis may be useful in some situations. Acetazolamide remains the chemoprophylactic agent of choice, although other drugs, such as gingko biloba, are being investigated. Immediate descent remains the cornerstone of treatment for HACE and HAPE, although pharmacologic and hyperbaric therapies may facilitate this process.

Physiologic response to moderate altitude exposure among infants and young children

Substantial numbers of children are exposed to moderate altitude while traveling to mountain resorts with their families. Although there has been extensive study of the adult physiologic response to altitude exposure, few studies of infants and young children exist. This investigation examines the acute physiologic responses to moderate altitude exposure among young children and the relationship of these responses to the development of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Children 3 to 36 months old participated in the prospective observational study, which included baseline measurements at 1610 m and measurements after a 24-h exposure to 3109 m. Measurements included pulse and respiratory rate, end-tidal CO(2), arterial oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry), cerebral tissue oxygenation (St(O2)) by near-infrared spectroscopy, middle cerebral artery resistive index by transcranial Doppler, lateral ventricle volumes (ultrasound), and clinical evaluation for the presence of acute mountain sickness (Children's Lake Louise Score). Twenty-four children (13 girls and 11 boys, age 14.5 +/- 10.2 months) participated. After acute exposure to 3109 m, these children showed an increase in respiratory rate from 45 +/- 13 to 51.9 +/- 15 breaths/min (p < 0.008), accompanied by a decrease of end-tidal CO(2) from 31 +/- 3 to 28 +/- 2 mm Hg (p < 0.001) and a reduction of arterial oxygen saturation from 95 +/- 2 to 91 +/- 2% (p < 0.001). St(O2) also decreased from 78 +/- 8 to 67 +/- 13% (p < 0.001), and this reduction appeared to be related to age (r = 0.58, p < 0.05), with lower saturations found in younger children. No evidence of increased intracranial pressure, as assessed by middle cerebral artery resistive index, was seen during ascent. Seven subjects developed symptoms of AMS; however, no relationship was found between the physiologic changes observed and the presence of symptoms. Ascent from 1610 to 3109 m resulted in tachypnea, relative hypoxia, hypocapnia, and a reduction in cerebral tissue oxygenation (St(O2)). The reduction in St(O2) appeared to be related to age, with infants appearing to be the most susceptible to cerebral tissue oxygen desaturation at high altitude. No relationship appears to exist between the presence of AMS and the physiologic measurements.

High-altitude illness

High-altitude illness is the collective term for acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE), and high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE). The pathophysiology of these syndromes is not completely understood, although studies have substantially contributed to the current understanding of several areas. These areas include the role and potential mechanisms of brain swelling in AMS and HACE, mechanisms accounting for exaggerated pulmonary hypertension in HAPE, and the role of inflammation and alveolar-fluid clearance in HAPE. Only limited information is available about the genetic basis of high-altitude illness, and no clear associations between gene polymorphisms and susceptibility have been discovered. Gradual ascent will always be the best strategy for preventing high-altitude illness, although chemoprophylaxis may be useful in some situations. Despite investigation of other agents, acetazolamide remains the preferred drug for preventing AMS. The next few years are likely to see many advances in the understanding of the causes and management of high-altitude illness.