Crecimiento longitudinal en poblaciones de altura andinas. ¿Existe un patrón propio de estos ecosistemas?

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to verify if the classical growth pattern described for Andean highaltitude populations is equally applicable to all of them. Stature and longitudinal growth pattern is analyzed in scholars between 6 and 18 years old belonging to three human groups of the province of Jujuy, located in the Argentine noroccidental furthest end. One of these groups is Susques (3675 m.s.n.m.) and the other two, ubicated in San Salvador de Jujuy (1250m.s.n.m.), differs in socioeconomic level and genetic background. These populations are also compared with neighboring countries other ones. The results show that socioeconomic level or autochthony degree has more relative importance than geographic altitude per sé as childhood and youth growth determinants. Consequently, it does’nt seem appropriate to talk about a specific high altitude peoples morphophysiology.