Características morfofuncionales del hombre de altura

Abstract

This narrative review summarizes the effects of acute and chronic changes that hypobaric hypoxia has at high altitudes in the human body. It is mentioned that native residents at high altitudes have high testosterone and hemoglobin values, which allows them to adapt to height, and that placental pathophysiological failures can cause congenital malformations in fetuses. Newborns at altitude have low oxygen saturation, which can cause cardiovascular and respiratory problems. The hypobaric hypoxia produces changes in the musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine, digestive, renal system such as: Change in the morphology of the chest, decrease in linear bone growth, dolicomegacolon, cerebral arterial vasodilation, increase in respiratory volume among others. Important changes in basic acid balance and cellular metabolism are also mentioned.