Effect of altitude on the physical growth of upper-class children of European ancestry

Abstract

The physical growth of 351 upper-socioeconomic-status children (9-20 years) of European ancestry residing in La Paz, Bolivia (altitude 3600 m) is described and compared with that of lowland children of similar background. The purpose is to evaluate the independent effect of continual exposure to atmospheric hypoxia during the period of growth and development on linear growth. The data presented here indicate that the effect of hypoxia on achieved stature ranges from minimal in males and none in females to a maximum of 3 cm in both sexes. The magnitude of this effect is relatively small compared to the potential effect of other factors which affect the growth of highland children.