(P06-012-25) Effect of Altitude Induced Hypoxia on Fetal Growth Restriction and Cognitive Development of Wistar Rats

Objectives: Hypoxia related pregnancies in high altitude are often associated with intrauterine growth restriction, yet whether altitude per-se or other factors are responsible remains unclear.

Methods: Using a randomized-controlled trial, we randomly assigned albino Wistar rats into two groups, where they have been kept at 2840 m (high altitude) and 1,543 m (lower altitude) above sea level, to understand the effect of altitude on linear growth and cognitive function of offsprings. Rats in both groups were on a standard AIN-93 G diet, food and water intake was monitored.

Results: Birth-length and weight was significantly lower among offspring where pregnancies were spent at a higher altitude (P < 0.05). Cognitive performance evaluated using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test and the electric foot shock test on a 45 day postnatal, showed that performance was significantly lower at higher altitude, suggesting a potential negative functional consequence of pregnancies at higher altitude.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that birth at high altitudes increases the risk of low birth- weight and intrauterine growth restriction , with potentially negative impacts on cognitive function.

Funding Sources: Addis Ababa University, Ethiopian Public Health Institute