The incidence, the most common symptoms and risk factors of altitude sickness in children

Abstract

High-altitude tourism is gaining popularity. Mountains are also becoming an increasingly popular destination for school or family trips. This suggests that the number of children with high-altitude diseases, including acute mountain sickness (AMS), will also rise. The aim of this literature review was to determine the epidemiology of acute mountain sickness, its most common manifestations and risk factors in children. We analysed papers from the last 5 years, which were found by two independent authors using PubMed, ResearchGate and Google Scholar. The following keywords were used to identify relevant studies: acute mountain sickness, altitude sickness, children (by Medical Subject Headings). After screening with the exclusion criteria, the final analysis included 5 papers, which were assessed for the quality of evidence. The incidence of acute mountain sickness in children is 30–45% at elevations below 4,000 m. There were no differences compared to an adult population. Headache, sleep disorders and dizziness are the most common symptoms of acute mountain sickness in children. Further research is needed to identify factors that predispose children to this disease. In the light of the increasingly intensive alpine tourism among children, research on the sequelae of acute mountain sickness is recommended.