Hematological differences during growth among Tibetans and Han Chinese born and raised at high altitude in Qinghai, China.
This study describes the hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and hematocrit (HCT) of over 1,000 Tibetan and Han children, adolescents, and young adults who were born and raised at 3,200 m, 3,800 m, or 4,300 m in Qinghai Province, western China. At 3,200 m, no altitude effect is evident in the hematological characteristics of either group. At 3,800 m and 4,300 m, both groups show [Hb] and HCT values that are above low-altitude norms. At both altitudes, Tibetan and Han children show no differences in the pattern of hematological response up to age 13. Among adolescents and young adults, however, the [Hb] and HCT of Han males and females are elevated compared to Tibetans. This indicates that the adolescent period may involve a divergence in the responses to hypoxia made by some individuals in these two groups. Also, many other adolescents and young adults in both groups show similar hematological characteristics, indicating that many Tibetans and Han share similar hematological responses to hypoxia.
Garruto
Ralph M
RM
Department of Anthropology, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA. rgarruto@binghamton.edu
Chin
Chen-Ting
CT
Weitz
Charles A
CA
Liu
Ji-Chuan
JC
Liu
Rui-Ling
RL
He
Xing
X
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018609:Tibet / Q000208:ethnology
D006454:Hemoglobins