Going into the mountains is a great thing to do when your kids have breaks from school. But if you’re planning a trip to higher elevations with kids, you might be wondering, “Can children get altitude sickness?” The short answer is yes.

Although there are mixed messages out there — some claiming that kids are more likely to get altitude sickness and others suggesting they are immune — the truth lies somewhere in between. According to Jacob Beniflah, MD, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, “children are at about the same risk for altitude sickness as adults, possibly a little less.” They are not immune to symptoms. In fact, kids who live in high-elevation areas are still at risk if they descend for more than 24 hours and then come back up.

“The overwhelming majority of kids go up to the mountains and have a great time,” Dr. Beniflah says. “Altitude sickness is something to be aware of, but not something to have a paralyzing amount of fear over.” In other words, don’t be reckless when it comes to activities in higher elevations, but don’t let the possibility of altitude sickness stop you from enjoying the outdoors.

Here’s what parents and caregivers need to know about preventing, recognizing and treating altitude sickness in kids.

Altitude sickness prevention and preparation

It is important to prepare for the possibility of altitude sickness in kids and take the right precautions. According to Dr. Beniflah, the two biggest factors to keep in mind are how quickly you increase elevation and how active your kids are at higher altitudes.

Try not to go up more than 1,600 feet a day once you’re above 8,000 feet. If you’re coming from sea level, it’s a good idea to spend a night somewhere like Denver (just above 5,000 feet) before heading to higher places like Vail (9,000 feet) or Loveland (11,000 feet). Taking things slow and planning for rest days can make a big difference in your child’s adjustment to altitude. 

Be cautious with tiring activities like skiing or hiking until your child is fully comfortable and feeling well. Take frequent breaks, check in often and adjust your plan if needed.

Hydration certainly helps, but make sure not to overdo it. Encourage your child to drink water regularly, but not more than normal. Also, if your child feels queasy and doesn’t have much of an appetite, still encourage them to eat — it can help them feel better.

If a kid already has a cold or an ear infection, they may be more likely to get altitude sickness symptoms. Doctors usually don’t recommend taking a newborn under 6 weeks old to a place that’s much higher than where you live.

It’s also good to know the location of nearby medical centers in case your child needs care. If your child’s symptoms progress quickly, you won’t want to research medical care in the moment. Most hospitals in mountain towns are extremely experienced with altitude sickness. Always be prepared to descend if symptoms worsen and are not improving with medical support.

Individual risk factors for altitude sickness symptoms in kids 

While all children are at some risk of altitude sickness, there are certain medical conditions that can put children at a higher risk. Conditions that affect the heart, lungs or blood are particularly important to consider. If your child has any of the following conditions, it may be a good idea to check in with your child’s care team before going to higher elevations:

• Sickle cell anemia
• Cystic fibrosis
• Congenital heart disease
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Down syndrome 

Depending on the severity of your child’s condition, your care team may recommend not traveling to higher elevations or taking additional precautions. Routine medications like Diamox are not commonly prescribed for healthy kids when preventing altitude sickness, but it may be used in special cases under medical supervision.

Interestingly, asthma isn’t typically considered a major risk factor for altitude sickness, though the colder air in higher elevations may trigger asthmatic symptoms.

Recognizing symptoms of altitude sickness in children

At higher elevations, there is a lower partial pressure of oxygen, which leads to lower oxygen levels in the bloodstream. Your child may show some symptoms as they adjust to these changes.

Symptoms normally develop in the first 24 hours after arriving at a higher altitude and become the most severe after the first night’s sleep. Verbal children may complain of symptoms like having a headache in addition to feeling nauseous, vomiting, not being hungry, or having a hard time sleeping.

Some kids can’t tell you about what they’re feeling. In nonverbal kids or babies, it can be much harder to recognize signs and symptoms. It is good to look out for excessive fussiness or irritability, less playful behavior, pale skin, decreased appetite, and sleeping more or less than usual. These can be signs of simple exhaustion from travel, but if a few of these symptoms are occurring together, it could be due to altitude sickness.

At higher altitudes, your child’s body is adjusting to lower oxygen levels. Their heart rate and breathing often increase to make up for the difference. This can lead to unusual breathing patterns, particularly while they are sleeping. This may cause your child to wake up throughout the night and increase tiredness throughout the day. While the pattern of breathing may look scary to parents, this is a normal symptom that will go away when the child wakes up. The breathing pattern often looks like short rapid breaths followed by pauses of varying lengths.

Note that certain illnesses, like the flu or dehydration, can be confused with altitude sickness. If you are unsure about the symptoms your child is having, it is always best to seek medical care.

Treatment and when to seek medical help

Most altitude sickness cases are mild and are resolved with simple treatment at home. Encourage rest and limit your child’s play throughout the day. Many kids want to jump back into activities once they start feeling better, but this can cause symptoms to come back. Additionally, use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen for headaches or anti vomiting medicines.

You can also talk to your pediatrician before traveling to see if a just-in-case prescription for Zofran and antinausea medicine makes sense. Dr. Beniflah  recommends this medicine as an option to have on hand if needed.

If symptoms seem to worsen or don’t improve after 24 hours, it may be time to seek medical attention. Serious complications are rare, but they can happen. These include fluid in the lungs and swelling in the brain. Watch for:

• Extreme tiredness
• Difficulty waking your child
• Constant vomiting
• Increased shortness of breath

Dr. Beniflah generally does not recommend bringing a pulse oximeter on your trips to monitor altitude sickness, unless it is specifically given by your child’s care team. “Pulse oximeters often are not accurate and end up causing a lot of unnecessary anxiety.” Dr. Beniflah says. Only use this tool under the advice of your care team, with a clear guide on what to look for and how to respond. Overall, don’t fixate on one symptom, and consider your child’s condition as a whole.

“If mild symptoms do show up, don’t panic,” says Dr. Beniflah. “Take a rest day, manage symptoms and if things don’t improve, seek help or consider descending.” Ultimately, the best way to help kids with altitude sickness is to get to a lower elevation if the symptoms become serious.