Description

Subacute infantile mountain sickness refers to an altitude sickness affecting infants born at a high altitude. It can result in significant morbidity and mortality and tends to affect families of low land descent more than families residing at high altitudes for centuries.


 

Patient selection: infants living at a high altitude

 

Onset: first few weeks to months of life and may continue beyond 12 months of age

 

Clinical features:

(1) dyspnea and tachypnea

(2) cough

(3) cyanosis

(4) facial edema

(5) oliguria

(6) sleeplessness

(7) irritability

(8) failure to thrive

(9) pulmonary hypertension

(10) right heart failure with marked dilatation of the right ventricle and hepatomegaly

(12) tachycardia

(13) exclusion of other causes (congenital heart disease, malnutrition, infection, etc.)

 

The symptoms of hypoxemia tend to be worse during sleep and while feeding. This can be confirmed by monitoring pulse oximetry.

 

Relocation to a lower altitude results in complete recovery.

 

Pathologic examination shows muscularization of the pulmonary arterial tree with signs of right heart failure.

 


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