Alejandro Ferreiro Marin. María Paula Ferreiro Soria, Karla Sánchz Olivera, Aranza Suárez Ortega, Luis Martin Garrido García
Centro Médico ABC. Universidad Anáhuac México.
Mexico
High Altitude Medicine and Biology
High Alt Med Biol 2026;
DOI: 10.1177/15578682261500306
Abstract
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a potentially life-threatening form of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema caused by hypobaric hypoxia. Although well characterized in adults, pediatric cases remain underrecognized and are frequently mistaken for pneumonia.We describe four pediatric patients aged 7-12 years diagnosed with HAPE at a Private Tertiary Referral Medical Center in Mexico City. One patient developed classic HAPE after ascent from low altitude, and three patients developed reentry HAPE after returning to high altitude following temporary stays near sea level.All patients presented with hypoxemia (SpO2 77%-93%), respiratory symptoms, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, absence of fever, and low inflammatory markers. Echocardiography demonstrated elevated or borderline elevated pulmonary artery pressures without structural heart disease. Supplemental oxygen resulted in rapid clinical improvement in all cases. Hospital stay ranged from 2 to 4 days, and none required mechanical ventilation. One patient experienced recurrence shortly after discharge.HAPE should be considered in children presenting with acute hypoxemic respiratory illness after recent ascent to high altitude. The combination of hypoxemia, bilateral infiltrates, low inflammatory markers, and rapid response to oxygen therapy may help distinguish HAPE from infectious pneumonia and facilitate timely treatment.
Category
High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
Class III. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Alveolar Hypoxia
Medical Therapy. Efficacy or Lack of Efficacy
Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
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