Inflammatory processes may predispose children to high-altitude pulmonary edema

We investigated retrospectively whether the preexistence of inflammation-producing illnesses such as viral respiratory tract infections contributed to the development of high-altitude pulmonary edema in children. We found that the large majority of native low-altitude children, but not adults, who h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of pediatrics 1997-05, Vol.130 (5), p.838-840
Main Authors: Durmowicz, Anthony G., Noordeweir, Edward, Nicholas, Richard, Reeves, John T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Altitude Sickness - etiology
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Infant
Inflammation - complications
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Otitis Media - complications
Pulmonary Edema - etiology
Respiratory Tract Infections - complications
Retrospective Studies
Transport. Aerospace. Diving. Altitude
Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents
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Summary:We investigated retrospectively whether the preexistence of inflammation-producing illnesses such as viral respiratory tract infections contributed to the development of high-altitude pulmonary edema in children. We found that the large majority of native low-altitude children, but not adults, who had this form of edema after traveling to high altitude also had evidence of a preexisting illness. We speculate that the release of inflammatory mediators associated with these illnesses may be tolerated at sea level but may predispose children to increased capillary permeability when superimposed on hypoxia and, possibly, cold and exercise.
ISSN:0022-3476
1097-6833
DOI:10.1016/S0022-3476(97)80033-9