Postnatal human lung growth.

W M Thurlbeck

Standard morphometric methods were applied to the lungs of 36 boys and 20 girls aged from 6 weeks to 14 years, dying as a result of trauma or after short illnesses. Individual lung units, alveolar dimensions, and number of alveoli per unit area and volume did not differ between boys and girls, but boys had bigger lungs than girls for the same stature. This resulted in a larger total number of alveoli and a larger aveolar surface area in boys than in girls for a given age and stature. There may be more respiratory bronchioles in boys than girls. There was rapid alveolar multiplication during the first two years of life and alveolar dimensions and number of alveoli per unit area and volume did not change much during this period. There was little or no increase in the total number of alveoli after the age of 2 years but the data are hard to interpret. There is a wide scatter of the total number of alveoli in the growing lung, in keeping with the observation that the total number of alveoli is very variable in adults. Prediction data are given for the various morphometric variables studied.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• De Matteo, R., Snibson, K., Thompson, B., Koumoundouros, E., Harding, R. (2009). Lung function in developing lambs: is it affected by preterm birth?. J. Appl. Physiol. 107: 1083-1088 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• von Ungern-Sternberg, B. S., Trachsel, D., Erb, T. O., Hammer, J. (2009). Forced expiratory flows and volumes in intubated and paralyzed infants and children: normative data up to 5 years of age. J. Appl. Physiol. 107: 105-111 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Guenette, J. A., Querido, J. S., Eves, N. D., Chua, R., Sheel, A. W. (2009). Sex differences in the resistive and elastic work of breathing during exercise in endurance-trained athletes. Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 297: R166-R175 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Chang, J, Delfino, R J, Gillen, D, Tjoa, T, Nickerson, B, Cooper, D (2009). Repeated respiratory hospital encounters among children with asthma and residential proximity to traffic. Occup. Environ. Med. 66: 90-98 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Balinotti, J. E., Tiller, C. J., Llapur, C. J., Jones, M. H., Kimmel, R. N., Coates, C. E., Katz, B. P., Nguyen, J. T., Tepper, R. S. (2009). Growth of the Lung Parenchyma Early in Life. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 179: 134-137 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Arvedson, J. C. (2008). Food for Thought on Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing. Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) 17: 110-118 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Karol, L. A., Johnston, C., Mladenov, K., Schochet, P., Walters, P., Browne, R. H. (2008). Pulmonary Function Following Early Thoracic Fusion in Non-Neuromuscular Scoliosis. JBJS 90: 1272-1281 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• McGrath-Morrow, S., Rangasamy, T., Cho, C., Sussan, T., Neptune, E., Wise, R., Tuder, R. M., Biswal, S. (2008). Impaired Lung Homeostasis in Neonatal Mice Exposed to Cigarette Smoke. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Bio. 38: 393-400 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Hyde, D. M., Blozis, S. A., Avdalovic, M. V., Putney, L. F., Dettorre, R., Quesenberry, N. J., Singh, P., Tyler, N. K. (2007). Alveoli increase in number but not size from birth to adulthood in rhesus monkeys. Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 293: L570-L579 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Massaro, D., DeCarlo Massaro, G. (2007). Developmental alveologenesis: longer, differential regulation and perhaps more danger. Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 293: L568-L569 [Full Text]  
• Guenette, J. A., Witt, J. D., McKenzie, D. C., Road, J. D., Sheel, A. W. (2007). Respiratory mechanics during exercise in endurance-trained men and women. J. Physiol. 581: 1309-1322 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Fernandes, P., Weinstein, S. L. (2007). Natural History of Early Onset Scoliosis. JBJS 89: 21-33 [Full Text]  
• Akei, H., Whitsett, J. A., Buroker, M., Ninomiya, T., Tatsumi, H., Weaver, T. E., Ikegami, M. (2006). Surface tension influences cell shape and phagocytosis in alveolar macrophages. Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 291: L572-L579 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Waters, B., Owers-Bradley, J., Silverman, M. (2006). Acinar Structure in Symptom-free Adults by Helium-3 Magnetic Resonance. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 173: 847-851 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Gnanalingham, M G, Mostyn, A, Gardner, D S, Stephenson, T, Symonds, M E (2006). Developmental regulation of the lung in preparation for life after birth: hormonal and nutritional manipulation of local glucocorticoid action and uncoupling protein-2.. J Endocrinol 188: 375-386 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Zeman, K. L., Bennett, W. D. (2006). Growth of the small airways and alveoli from childhood to the adult lung measured by aerosol-derived airway morphometry. J. Appl. Physiol. 100: 965-971 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• de Jong, P. A., Long, F. R., Wong, J. C., Merkus, P. J., Tiddens, H. A., Hogg, J. C., Coxson, H. O. (2006). Computed tomographic estimation of lung dimensions throughout the growth period. Eur Respir J 27: 261-267 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kim, Y. J., Lenke, L. G., Bridwell, K. H., Kim, K. L., Steger-May, K. (2005). Pulmonary Function in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Relative to the Surgical Procedure. JBJS 87: 1534-1541 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• McGrath-Morrow, S. A., Cho, C., Cho, C., Zhen, L., Hicklin, D. J., Tuder, R. M. (2005). Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Blockade Disrupts Postnatal Lung Development. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Bio. 32: 420-427 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kovar, J., Willet, K. E., Hislop, A., Sly, P. D. (2005). Impact of postnatal glucocorticoids on early lung development. J. Appl. Physiol. 98: 881-888 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Olfert, I. M., Balouch, J., Kleinsasser, A., Knapp, A., Wagner, H., Wagner, P. D., Hopkins, S. R. (2004). Does gender affect human pulmonary gas exchange during exercise?. J. Physiol. 557: 529-541 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Haverkamp, H. C., Dempsey, J. A. (2004). On the normal variability of gas exchange efficiency during exercise: does sex matter?. J. Physiol. 557: 345-345 [Full Text]  
• Thomson, M. A., Yoder, B. A., Winter, V. T., Martin, H., Catland, D., Siler-Khodr, T. M., Coalson, J. J. (2004). Treatment of Immature Baboons for 28 Days with Early Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 169: 1054-1062 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Hislop, A.A. (2003). Lung growth and computed tomography. Eur Respir J 22: 195-196 [Full Text]  
• Bellemare, F., Jeanneret, A., Couture, J. (2003). Sex Differences in Thoracic Dimensions and Configuration. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 168: 305-312 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Zach, M S, Eber, E (2002). Adult outcome of congenital lower respiratory tract malformations. Arch. Dis. Child. 87: 500-505 [Full Text]  
• Robin, M., Dong, P., Hermans, C., Bernard, A., Bersten, A.D., Doyle, I.R. (2002). Serum levels of CC16, SP-A and SP-B reflect tobacco-smoke exposure in asymptomatic subjects. Eur Respir J 20: 1152-1161 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kovar, J., Sly, P. D., Willet, K. E. (2002). Postnatal alveolar development of the rabbit. J. Appl. Physiol. 93: 629-635 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Gehring, U., Cyrys, J., Sedlmeir, G., Brunekreef, B., Bellander, T., Fischer, P., Bauer, C.P., Reinhardt, D., Wichmann, H.E., Heinrich, J. (2002). Traffic-related air pollution and respiratory health during the first 2 yrs of life. Eur Respir J 19: 690-698 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ginsberg, G., Hattis, D., Sonawane, B., Russ, A., Banati, P., Kozlak, M., Smolenski, S., Goble, R. (2002). Evaluation of Child/Adult Pharmacokinetic Differences from a Database Derived from the Therapeutic Drug Literature. Toxicol Sci 66: 185-200 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• JANE PILLOW, J., HALL, G. L., WILLET, K. E., JOBE, A. H., HANTOS, Z., SLY, P. D. (2001). Effects of Gestation and Antenatal Steroid on Airway and Tissue Mechanics in Newborn Lambs. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 163: 1158-1163 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Eber, E, Zach, M S (2001). Paediatric origins of adult lung disease {bullet} 8: Long term sequelae of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (chronic lung disease of infancy). Thorax 56: 317-323 [Full Text]  
• Rypens, F., Metens, T., Rocourt, N., Sonigo, P., Brunelle, F., Quere, M. P., Guibaud, L., Maugey-Laulom, B., Durand, C., Avni, F. E., Eurin, D. (2001). Fetal Lung Volume: Estimation at MR Imaging--Initial Results. Radiology 219: 236-241 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Zach, M S, Eber, E (2001). Paediatric origins of adult lung diseases {bullet} 5: Adult outcome of congenital lower respiratory tract malformations. Thorax 56: 65-72 [Full Text]  
• Hopkins, S. R., Barker, R. C., Brutsaert, T. D., Gavin, T. P., Entin, P., Olfert, I. M., Veisel, S., Wagner, P. D. (2000). Pulmonary gas exchange during exercise in women: effects of exercise type and work increment. J. Appl. Physiol. 89: 721-730 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• JONES, M., CASTILE, R., DAVIS, S., KISLING, J., FILBRUN, D., FLUCKE, R., GOLDSTEIN, A., EMSLEY, C., AMBROSIUS, W., TEPPER, R. S. (2000). Forced Expiratory Flows and Volumes in Infants . Normative Data and Lung Growth. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 161: 353-359 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kotecha, S. (2000). Lung growth: implications for the newborn infant. Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. 82: 69F-74 [Full Text]  
• Becklake, M. R, Kauffmann, F. (1999). Gender differences in airway behaviour over the human life span. Thorax 54: 1119-1138 [Full Text]  
• COALSON, J. J., WINTER, V. T., SILER-KHODR, T., YODER, B. A. (1999). Neonatal Chronic Lung Disease in Extremely Immature Baboons. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 160: 1333-1346 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• McClaran, S. R., Harms, C. A., Pegelow, D. F., Dempsey, J. A. (1998). Smaller lungs in women affect exercise hyperpnea. J. Appl. Physiol. 84: 1872-1881 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Harms, C. A, McClaran, S. R, Nickele, G. A, Pegelow, D. F, Nelson, W. B, Dempsey, J. A (1998). Exercise-induced arterial hypoxaemia in healthy young women. J. Physiol. 507: 619-628 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Johnston, I. D.A., Strachan, D. P., Anderson, H. R. (1998). Effect of Pneumonia and Whooping Cough in Childhood on Adult Lung Function. NEJM 338: 581-587 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Binns, O. A. R., DeLima, N. F., Buchanan, S. A., Lopes, M. B. S., Cope, J. T., Marek, C. A., King, R. C., Laubach, V. E., Tribble, C. G., Kron, I. L. (1997). MATURE PULMONARY LOBAR TRANSPLANTS GROW IN AN IMMATURE ENVIRONMENT. J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 114: 186-194 [Abstract] [Full Text]