Lung growth of pre-adolescent children

Lung growth was studied in 420 Dutch children aged 6-11 yrs. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) were measured four times over a 2.5 yr period with a rolling-seal spirometer. In boys, pulmonary function increased with approximately the same velocity at all ages studied. In girls, however, the growth velocities of FVC and FEV1 increased markedly at age 10 yrs, and growth velocities of PEF and MMEF had increased already at age 9 yrs. The minimum pulmonary function growth velocity could not be determined from the available data in boys. In girls, the minimum pulmonary function growth velocities preceded the minimum height growth velocity at the onset of the pubertal growth spurt. All lung function growth rates were significantly associated with the growth rate of height. In girls, the growth rate of FVC was also associated with the weight growth rate. There was also some association between the growth rates of PEF and MMEF and age. In boys, there was a negative association between age and the growth rates of FVC and FEV1, after adjustment for the growth rate of height.