Hypoxia and Medicine

why can infants withstand a greater degree of hypoxia than adults?

I'm sure it has something to do with fetal vs. normal hemoglobin, but have been unsuccesful in finding an article to support this

Public Comments

1. This is only a hypothetical answer but, it maybe due to an infant being able to coexist within fluid such as amneotic fluid in which they develop during gestation. The ability to function in this environment may or may not be the actual cause for an infant to endure hypoxic conditions longer than any other human being.
2. Functionally, fetal hemoglobin differs most from adult hemoglobin in that it is able to bind oxygen with greater affinity than the adult form, giving the developing fetus better access to oxygen from the mother's bloodstream. Although this makes fetal hemoglobin bind oxygen more efficiently, I'm not sure that is why infants can withstand hypoxia better than adults. Instead I would propose the mammalian diving reflex. Submerging the face into water causes the mammalian diving reflex, which is found in all mammals (including humans, although it is less pronounced), but especially in marine mammals (as, for example, whales and seals.) This reflex puts the body into oxygen saving modus to maximize the time that can be spent under water. The effect of this reflex is greater in cold water than in warm water, and includes three factors: Bradycardia, a reduction in the heart rate (of up to 50% in humans). Peripheral vasoconstriction, a decrease in blood flow to the extremities, in order to increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the vital organs, especially the brain. Blood shift, the shifting of blood to the thoracic cavity, i.e. the chest between the diaphragm and the neck to avoid the collapse of the lungs under higher pressure during deeper dives. Thus, both a conscious and an unconscious person can survive longer without oxygen under water than in a comparable situation on dry land. Children tend to survive longer than adults when deprived of oxygen underwater. This reaction is similar to the body's reaction to cold water dousing and might be related to temperature biofeedback.