Lung function growth and its relation to airway hyperresponsiveness and recent wheeze - Results from a longitudinal population study

To evaluate the association between growth in height and growth in lung fun ction, and to identify the potential temporal relationships between airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), respiratory symptoms, and lung function growth d uring adolescence and young adulthood, we analyzed data collected from the Belmont cohort. Among the 718 schoolchildren initially studied at 1982 (age d 8-10 yr), 557 were studied between two times and six times at 2-yr interv als until 1992. Baseline lung function, AHR by histamine inhalation test, a nd recent wheeze by questionnaires, were measured at each visit. We found t hat between 17 and 19 yr of age, when growth in height had stopped, growth in FEV1 was approximately 200 ml/yr in boys and 100 ml/yr in girls. Peak gr owth velocity of height occurred at age 13 both in boys and in girls, where as peak growth velocity of FEV1 occurred at the same age only in girls and 1 yr later in boys. Having AHR and recent wheeze at the previous study time were both associated with lower subsequent growth in FEV1, but not with su bsequent growth In FVC. We conclude that lung function continues to grow af ter the cessation of height growth and that growth in FEV1 is reduced in su bjects with AHR and/or recent wheeze.