The high altitudes can cause children a pathology called “mountain malness”, a problem that can however be avoided by taking precautions and not climbing at excessive shares for the age of the baby
In this article we will briefly explain some basic concepts on Babies and children in the mountains And we will answer the most frequent questions about the topic, such as: From what age can children go to the mountains? And to what altitude? Are there any precautions to take?
In case of pathologies or for any further doubts, the advice is always to contact your own careful pediatrician who knows the child and can give personalized advice.
Babies and children in the mountains: altitudes and age
Let’s start by saying that it is necessary to overcome some fears, which were once, when the mountain and thealtitude for small children It was not recommended and it was recommended not to exceed the height of 1000 meters (if not even 800 meters). However, it is good to remember that, if on the one hand it is necessary to unhinge old fears, on the other You don’t even have to exaggerate bringing the newborn or infant to excessive heights for his age.
In principle it is advisable for i Healthy children under 1 year old (but with at least a month of life) do not exceed 1500 – 2000 meters. Altitudes above 2000 meters are not recommended for an infant, regardless of the temperature problems, the high altitude could determine: irritability, inhabitant and sleep disorders. In premature infants or with some pathology it is instead recommended to hear the Opinion of the treating pediatrician or the reference Center for the disease of which it is affected.
With i Children between 1 and 2 years Instead, trips to higher heights can be programmed (without exaggerating) after a period of setting and acclimatization.
Children included between 2 and 5 years Instead, they can climb up to 2500 meters and beyond, but even in these cases it is necessary to caution since the children may not be able to describe the malaise, so it will be the task of the parent to pay the utmost attention. Over 5 years Trips can be made higher than 2500 meters.
It must also be known that, on the occasion of rapid altitude variations, you can have pressure compensation problems Between the middle ear and the outside, with consequent trauma on the tympanum (barotrauma). This happens above all to those who, small or large, have difficulty breathing with the nose, perhaps due to a slight cold. The adults warn the problem first with the feeling of “stopped ear”, which if it continues can turn into real pain; the infant normally reports the discomfort crying.
To prevent the disorder it is useful stimulate swallowing (keeping the pacifier during the trip or stopping every now and then to attack the baby in the breast or to offer the bottle). Breastfeeding is instead not recommended, for safety reasons, when the vehicle is in motion (children must always be insured to safety devices).
In altitude variations between 1400 and 2000 meters (beyond it is not convenient) the newborn or infant (0-12 months of life) could accuse disorders for rarefaction of the air due to the high altitude. To try to limit the discomfort of altitude in infants and infants it is advisable to do some stopsin order to get to altitude in a more gradual way.
Also in this case you can combine profit (avoid the problems of high altitude) to the delightful, making a nice walk in the mountainsadmiring the beauties of nature and facing the journey as a moment of relaxation. Stop for some time at the various altitudes allows the organism of the children to “organize” and therefore to limit the inconvenience to the maximum.
Why do altitudes greater than 1500-2000 meters advise against children?
Going up the share, the barometric pressure and that of oxygen (which is about 21% of the barometric one) is gradually reduced; There is therefore less oxygen available: at 1500 meters there is about 84% of oxygen compared to sea level, at 2000 meters it is about 80%, while at about 3000 meters 2/3. The reduction of the percentage of oxygen in the breathtaking air involves a progressive reduction in operating capacity and the body meets Very demanding adaptations.
Mountain pain in children: how to prevent it
The mountain pain The most frequent pathology in pediatric age is acute, which is characterized by not very specific disorders, especially in the child:
- General conditions demolished;
- irritability;
- decrease in appetite;
- nausea;
- vomit;
- sleep disorders.
THE Symptoms of mountain pain in children they appear when they reach in a short time quotas above 2,500 meters. We still know about the causes of the pathology, although the best known are the rapid rise, the altitude too high, the exhaustion, the cold, the previous respiratory infections and some pathologies (absence of the right pulmonary artery, primary lung hypertension, perinatal pulmonary hypertension, congenital heart disease, individual susceptibility to return to altitude).
THE Symptoms of mountain pain in children they usually appear Between 4 and 12 hours from the beginning of the altitude climb.
But how to prevent mountain pain? The first, and obvious, answer: avoiding to exceed the heights of 2000 meters, but it is possible to prevent disorders even reaching gradually Particularly high altitudes, stopping from time to time if you travel by car and avoiding using seats, cabbers and cable cars for height differences from 1400-1500 meters to 2000 meters.
Also if symptoms, even slight, appear in the child or newborn, it is good to start DESCEND progressively towards lower shares and consult a doctor.
Particular attention is also paid to the mountains in the mountains, since children are most exposed to the risk of hypothermia. It is therefore essential that the newborn or infant is well -covered And we wear adequate clothes at altitude.
Marsupis and bands Instead, they are to be used carefully, since they can cause prolonged arterial compressions.
When you bring children or infants to the mountains, particular attention must also be paid to sun. The skin of the little ones is in fact more sensitive to sunlight and it is therefore necessary to use a cream with suitable protection factor, as well as equipping the small or small one with a hat and possibly with sunglasses.
Finally it is good to remember that the Various mountain diet And, in consideration of the dry climate, it is good to offer the water more frequently the water, obviously only after 6 months of age (first if the child is breastfed is not necessary).
