Association of Height Growth in Puberty with Lung Function: A Longitudinal Study

Rationale: Puberty may influence lung function, but the precise role of pubertal height growth in lung development is unclear.Objectives: To examine associations of timing of puberty and peak velocity of pubertal height growth with lung function in adolescence and early adulthood.Methods: Longitudinal analyses of repeat height measurements from age 5 to 20 years for a British birth cohort with 4,772 males and 4,849 females were conducted to characterize height growth trajectories and to derive pubertal age and peak height velocity using the validated SITAR (SuperImposition by Translation and Rotation) model. Association of these estimates with prebronchodilator and post-bronchodilator spirometry measures: FEV1; FVC; FEV1/FVC; FEF25–75% at age 15 and 24 years were investigated using multivariable regression models adjusted for lung function at age 8 years, height and age at time of outcome measurements, and potential confounders.Measurements and Main Results: Later pubertal age and greater peak velocity we...