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Published on: August 13, 2015
Does chronic mountain sickness (CMS) have perinatal origins?
Lorna G Moore1, Susan Niermeyer, Enrique Vargas
1Altitude Research Center, Department of Surgery/Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA. Lorna.G.Moore@UCHSC.edu
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology
|August 21, 2007
Summary
Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) may stem from exaggerated perinatal hypoxia. Low birth weights and signs of early-life oxygen deprivation were observed in men with excessive erythrocytosis, a precursor to CMS.
Area of Science:
- High-altitude medicine
- Perinatal physiology
- Respiratory diseases
Background:
- Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) affects 10% of high-altitude males, characterized by hypoventilation and hypoxemia.
- The exact cause of CMS remains unknown, prompting investigation into developmental factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that exaggerated perinatal hypoxia impairs pulmonary development and respiratory control, leading to CMS.
- To examine birth weights and signs of perinatal hypoxia in individuals with excessive erythrocytosis (EE), a potential preclinical stage of CMS.
Main Methods:
- A preliminary study involving 12 young men with excessive erythrocytosis (Hb ≥ 18.3 g/dL).
- Analysis of birth weights and assessment for indicators of perinatal hypoxia, including small for gestational age (SGA), prematurity, maternal preeclampsia (PE), and neonatal hypoxia.
Main Results:
- Subjects exhibited uniformly low birth weights (2571±243g).
- A high prevalence of perinatal hypoxia indicators was found: 8% SGA, 67% preterm, 50% born to PE mothers, and 83% diagnosed with neonatal hypoxia.
Conclusions:
- These findings suggest a potential link between reduced fetal growth, exaggerated perinatal hypoxia, and increased susceptibility to CMS.
- Further research with larger cohorts and longitudinal follow-up is needed to confirm the role of perinatal hypoxia in CMS development.
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