The effects of flight and altitude
- Correspondence to:
Dr M P Samuels
Academic Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent ST4 6QG, UK; samuelsdoctors.org.uk
- Accepted 11 August 2003
Abstract
Increasing numbers of infants and children journey by aeroplane, or travel to high altitude destinations, for example, on holiday or as part of a population migration. Most are healthy, although increasingly children may be transported by aeroplane or helicopter specifically to obtain treatment for severe illness or injury. It is therefore useful to review the effects of altitude, and their relevance to children who undertake flights or travel to, or at high altitudes, particularly those with acute and chronic medical conditions.
