Birth weight among Tibetans at different altitudes in India: Are Tibetans better protected from IUGR?

We report the variation in birth weight among the Tibetans at different altitudes in India to test the hypothesis of greater protection from intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) among Tibetan compared with other high-altitude native populations. We found that the birth weight of Tibetans at Leh (3521 m, high altitude) is quite similar to what has been reported previously for Tibetans at similar altitudes and is significantly higher than the low-altitude native populations living at similar altitudes. Tibetan birth weights are greater than those of other ethnic groups, both at high and low altitudes. Compared with Tibetans at high altitude (Leh, India; 3521 m), Tibetans at low altitudes (Bylakuppe, India; 800 m and Chandragiri, India; 970 m) have heavier birth weights. This finding is similar to what has been observed previously for other high-altitude native populations. Greater protection from IUGR is not observed for Tibetans compared with other high-altitude native populations as was reported previously. Genetic potential for birth weight is seemingly manifested only at low altitude. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 17:442-450, 2005. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.