Changes in lung, airway, and chest wall function in boys and girls between 8 and 12 yr

Maximum expiratory flows, maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and lung volumes were measured in 248 8-yr-old and 215 12-yr-old healthy school children. Eight-year-old girls had smaller total lung capacity but higher volume-corrected expiratory flows than boys. Maximum expiratory flow and total lung capacity increased more in girls than in boys between 8 and 12 yr. Girls had a greater increase in residual volume (0.23 liter for girls, 0.16 liter for boys) as well as lower maximum expiratory and inspiratory pressures (P less than 0.001). Girls have smaller lung volumes than boys, so one would expect smaller airways in girls, but girls generate greater flows, indicating that their airways are possibly wider than those of boys. There is also evidence of unequal growth of the airways and air spaces between 8 and 12 yr. Chest wall development appears less in girls than boys and the difference becomes more marked at 12 yr.