Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity in Young Andean Highland Children

Abstract

Lung diffusing capacities for carbon monoxide were measured in 125 highland Andean children between 4 and 6 years of age in La Paz, Bolivia (3,650 m), using a steady-state technique. Male children had a significantly lower DLC0 (13.2 ± 2.7) compared to females (14.2 ± 1.9; p < 0.05), despite similar body size Hemoglobin concentration was significantly greater than published values for low-altitude children and this also changes pulmonary diffusing capacities and supports the concept of early developmental adaptation in pulmonary function to environmental stressors as well as a sexual dimorphism in this type of adaptation.