Influence of altitude on hemoglobin levels and determination of the adjusting values

Abstract

To establish the relationship between hemoglobin level of 6-23 month infants and altitude of their living places, and to determine the adjusting hemoglobin values for infants in high altitude areas. Conduct this study by using available data from Improvement of Nutrition in Children in Poor Rural Regions. 6-23 months infants were sampled with the method of combined multi-stage stratified cluster, PPS and random equidistant. Questionnaires were used to collect data of infants and their families, feeding practices and nutrition knowledge of caretakers. The weight and length were measured by the intelligent physical examination instrument. Hemoglobin was tested by HemoCue method with blood drop from finger tips. Altitude was checked by the residence regions. Linear regressions were used to analyze the relation quotation of hemoglobin and altitude, adjusting hemoglobin values were determined with the quotation. A comparison was observed among adjusting method of CDC, Dirren and the established. A total of 24 938 infants at age of 6-23 months were sampled from 140 counties, in 19 provinces in 2018. Data were from 22 207 male accounting for 51. 7% and 20 731 female, 48. 3%. The weight, height and hemoglobin were(77. 6±6. 2)cm, (9. 91±1. 62)kg and 11. 9 g/dL respectively. The altitude ranges from 10 m to 4236 m, averagely 893. 4 m. Anemia rates of the infants and adjusted with method from CDC, Dirren and this study were 18. 9%, 27. 5%, 22. 7% and 20. 3%, showing remarkable adjusting effect. This study obtained adjusting Hb value for 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 m were 0. 1, 0. 3, 0. 6 and 1. 2 g/dL respectively and noticeably lower than that of suggested by WHO. Adjusting hemoglobin values of 6-23 months were different from the used values.