The effect of altitude on adolescent growth development

Freyre, Eleodoro A.; Ortiz, Marianela V.

doi:10.1016/0197-0070(88)90061-7

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Our study could not consider whether observed differences in body proportions were maintained into adulthood, or whether later catch-up growth may have modified earlier patterns. A prolonged growth period with a slow, reduced adolescent growth spurt has been documented in highland Andean [67]–[69] and other populations [70]–[72] exposed to nutritional and other stress. While differences in pubertal timing and variable body proportions during puberty may have existed between the highland and lowland populations included in this study, the same pattern of site differences was observed across the age groups included, pubertal children comprised only a small proportion of the dataset, and analysis of the data excluding children aged over 9 years did not alter the patterns observed (data not shown).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trade-Offs in Relative Limb Length among Peruvian Children: Extending the Thrifty Phenotype Hypothesis to Limb Proportions

et al. 2012

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Background and MethodsBoth the concept of ‘brain-sparing’ growth and associations between relative lower limb length, childhood environment and adult disease risk are well established. Furthermore, tibia length is suggested to be particularly plastic under conditions of environmental stress. The mechanisms responsible are uncertain, but three hypotheses may be relevant. The ‘thrifty phenotype’ assumes that some components of growth are selectively sacrificed to preserve more critical outcomes, like the brain. The ‘distal blood flow’ hypothesis assumes that blood nutrients decline with distance from the heart, and hence may affect limbs in relation to basic body geometry. Temperature adaptation predicts a gradient of decreased size along the limbs reflecting decreasing tissue temperature/blood flow. We examined these questions by comparing the size of body segments among Peruvian children born and raised in differentially stressful environments. In a cross-sectional sample of children aged 6 months to 14 years (n = 447) we measured head circumference, head-trunk height, total upper and lower limb lengths, and zeugopod (ulna and tibia) and autopod (hand and foot) lengths.ResultsHighland children (exposed to greater stress) had significantly shorter limbs and zeugopod and autopod elements than lowland children, while differences in head-trunk height were smaller. Zeugopod elements appeared most sensitive to environmental conditions, as they were relatively shorter among highland children than their respective autopod elements.DiscussionThe results suggest that functional traits (hand, foot, and head) may be partially protected at the expense of the tibia and ulna. The results do not fit the predictions of the distal blood flow and temperature adaptation models as explanations for relative limb segment growth under stress conditions. Rather, our data support the extension of the thrifty phenotype hypothesis to limb growth, and suggest that certain elements of limb growth may be sacrificed under tough conditions to buffer more functional traits.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trade-Offs in Relative Limb Length among Peruvian Children: Extending the Thrifty Phenotype Hypothesis to Limb Proportions

et al. 2012

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“…Later, Leonard (1989) reported that children from upper socioeconomic families in Nunoa were significantly taller and heavier than children of lower socioeconomic families (and appeared to grow better than children measured 20 years ago). Little effect of altitude on linear growth and weight gain was observed among Peruvian children belonging to middle or upper socioeconomic class families (Freyre et al, 1988). A secular trend in physical growth as a result of improved living standards has been reported among children in Huancayo (3280 m) in central Peru (Gonzales et al, 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Differences in physical growth of Aymara and Quechua children living at high altitude in Peru

Bergman

Js³

et al. 1993

American J Phys Anthropol

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Physical growth of Amerindian children living in two Aymara and three Quechua peasant communities in the Andean highlands of southern Peru (altitude 3,810-3,840 m) was studied, taking into account differences in the microclimate, agronomic situation, and sociodemographic variables. Anthropometric measurements were taken in 395 children aged under 14 years of age in a sample of 151 families in these communities, who were surveyed for sociodemographic variables as well. Data on the land system were available for 77 families. In comparison with reference populations from the United States (NCHS) and The Netherlands, stature, weight, head circumference, and midupper arm circumference (but not weight for stature) in the sample children were reduced. Growth retardation increased after the age of 1 year. Stature and weight in the present sample were very similar compared with previously published data on growth of rural Aymara children living near Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. Head circumference, midupper arm circumference, and weight for stature were significantly larger in Aymara children compared with Quechua children. Land was significantly more fragmented in Aymara compared with Quechua families, but amount of land owned was not different. Perinatal and infant mortality was elevated in Aymara vs. Quechua communities. Most families in Aymara communities used protected drinking water. One Quechua community had a severe microclimate, grim economic outlook, and weak social cohesion. Children in this community showed significant reductions in weight and midupper arm circumference compared with their peers in the other communities. We conclude that (presumably nutritionally mediated) intervillage and Aymara-Quechua differences in childhood physical growth existed in this rural high-altitude population in Peru and were associated with microclimate and the village economy, sociodemographic factors, and differences in the land system.

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“…Native children living in the city of La Paz (Bolivia, 3600 m) show a decreased nutritional status in comparison with well-nourished children of European ancestry living in the same city; only a small delay in linear growth exists in the latter groups of children in comparison with their counterparts at sea level [30]. Little effect of altitude on linear growth and weight gain was also observed among adolescent mestizo (mixed blood) children from middle or upper socio-economic class families in the city of Arequipa in Peru [22]. A secular trend in linear growth was observed in mestizo children in relation to improved socio-economic conditions in highland areas in Peru [28] and Colombia [52].…”

Section: Postnatal Growthmentioning

confidence: 82%

Physical adaptation of children to life at high altitude

Meer

Heymans²,

Zijlstra³

1995

Eur J Pediatr

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Children permanently exposed to hypoxia at altitudes of > 3000 m above sea level show a phenotypical form of adaptation. Under these environmental conditions, oxygen uptake in the lungs is enhanced by increases in ventilation, lung compliance, and pulmonary diffusion. Lung and thorax volumes in children growing up at high altitude are increased. The haemoglobin concentration in highlanders is elevated. With respect to the decreased arterial oxygen tension at high altitude, this seems a useful adaptation. Blood viscosity also increases as a result of the increase in red blood cell concentrations however, and this has potentially negative effects on the microcirculation in the tissues. The decreased partial pressure of oxygen in the lungs of highland children is associated with a higher pulmonary artery pressure. Pulmonary hypertension, high altitude pulmonary oedema, and chronic mountain sickness form part of the pathophysiology afflicting highland dwellers. Birth weight at high altitude is decreased. Decreased postnatal growth has been widely reported in populations at high altitude, particularly in early studies from the Andes. Recent studies taking into account the effects of socio-economic deprivation, suggest that long-term exposure to altitudes of 2500-3900 m is associated with a moderate reduction in linear growth in children.

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The effect of altitude on adolescent growth development

Cited by 17 publications

References 6 publications

Trade-Offs in Relative Limb Length among Peruvian Children: Extending the Thrifty Phenotype Hypothesis to Limb Proportions

Trade-Offs in Relative Limb Length among Peruvian Children: Extending the Thrifty Phenotype Hypothesis to Limb Proportions

Differences in physical growth of Aymara and Quechua children living at high altitude in Peru

Physical adaptation of children to life at high altitude

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