Congenital Defects of the Heart in High Altitudes

Abstract

THE recent Medical Progress report on the experimental production of anomalies by Ingalls, Curley and Prindle† interests me greatly because the teratogenic agent employed was anoxia brought about by lowering atmospheric pressure.Recently, while traveling in Central and South America, I became much impressed with clinical and epidemiologic evidence in both Mexico and Peru suggesting the effect of high altitude on certain congenital defects. What other factors are at play is difficult to say, because a number are obviously involved.In Mexico City (altitude 7500 feet) Dr. Rudolfo Limón told me that the tetralogy of Fallot is extremely rare, possibly . . .