Objective: To propose a correction for the hemoglobin (Hb) increase in
duced by altitude-associated hypoxia. Design: Part of a national study
of nutrition and health of preschool children (0-59 months), based on
a stratified, probabilistic, cluster sample. Setting: Coastal and And
ean regions of Ecuador, comprising about 97% of the population, living
at altitudes ranging from sea level to 3400 m. Subjects: Subsample of
469 girls and boys, 6-59 months old, with normal iron (Fe) status par
ameters, i.e serum ferritin greater than or equal to 10 mu g/l, transf
errin saturation greater than or equal to 12%, zinc protoporphyrin les
s than or equal to 2.8 mu g/g Hb. Results: Exponential regression curv
es are adapted through the Hb values of the children, grouped by altit
ude ranges, and through the data reported by Hurtado in 1945 for male
adults. From these exponential curves, correction factors for Hb are d
erived for altitudes ranging from sea level to 3400 m. Conclusion: The
striking parallelism between the hypoxia-induced hemoglobin increase
with altitude in young children (girls and boys) and that in male adul
ts strongly suggests that the proposed correction factors for Hb are a
pplicable for all ages and possibly both genders, at least in the Ande
s. Descriptors: altitude, Andes, anemia, children, hemoglobin, hypoxia