[Health and morbidity of children in the North]

The author's many-years' experience and the literature data on research into the health of children and adults during adaptation in the Arctic are generalised. Significant changes are demonstrated in seasonal and circadian biological rhythms, in hormone levels, immunological tests and functional parameters of oxygen transport and consumption, and permanent exhaustion of these and other functional systems. At the same time, it has been proved that in the recent twenty years, the physical and mental development of children and adolescents has been quite satisfactory and their morbidity is not higher than that of Central Siberia, while childhood mortality level is noticeably lower. A conclusion has been drawn on the possibility of reducing the adaptational tension and functional reserve exhaustion, and of children's health improvement in the Arctic by means of social protection (housing, nutrition, etc.) and rational training (body hardening, physical exercises, etc.).