Recently, an 11-year-old boy suffered from altitude sickness at Cui Pond on Snow Mountain, leading to an emergency rescue and helicopter evacuation. In August alone, two cases of childhood altitude sickness occurred. The Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters urged that studies show children have a higher probability of experiencing altitude sickness than adults. Before bringing children into high-altitude areas, parents must be well-informed about altitude sickness and prepare emergency response and descent plans to ensure safer family hiking.
According to a research study published by Dr. Wang Shih-Hao in the international travel medicine journal *Journal of Travel Medicine*, among 96 healthy children aged 11–12 who had not undergone prior altitude acclimatization, 59% developed acute mountain sickness over a three-day climb up Yushan (Jade Mountain), which is higher than the 36% rate observed in adults—clearly showing that children are more susceptible to altitude-related symptoms in high-altitude mountainous regions.
Preschool-aged children may not yet have fully developed language or communication skills, making it highly likely they cannot accurately express their physical condition. This could lead to parents overlooking serious symptoms, resulting in unpredictable consequences. Therefore, it is not advisable to take very young children on high-altitude mountain hikes.
The Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters advises that before venturing into high-altitude mountain areas, one should first undergo altitude acclimatization and training in mid-altitude regions, or test the body’s response in easily accessible high-altitude areas with convenient transport and easy descent options, such as Hehuanshan. High-altitude hiking should involve gradual ascent to give the body sufficient time to adjust to elevation changes. Do not ignore any suspected symptoms of altitude sickness, and always remember the “3D—Down, Down and Down” rule: descending is the most effective way to alleviate altitude sickness.