Evaluation of cardiac function in healthy children native to 1890 metres.

Objective: The aim of the study is, by comparing cardiac parameters between children native to 1890 metres with children living at sea level, to find out whether there is any impairment in cardiac function related to that altitude.

Methods: Electrocardiographic, conventional, and tissue Doppler echocardiographic parameters were compared in 42 healthy children native to 1890 metres, and in 21 healthy age and gender matched children living at sea level. Plasma haemoglobin level and oxygen saturation measured by pulse oxymeter were also obtained from all patients.