Maturational delay and temporal growth retardation in asthmatic boys

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1977 Mar;59(3):200-6. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(77)90150-6.

Abstract

Growth in height, bone age, and sexual maturation have been studied in asthmatic boys 2 to 20 yr of age. The mean pattern of growth in height has been analyzed mixed-longitudinally in 531 patients (1,754 measures) and seemed to be determined by a delay in physiologic maturation. The asthmatic boys' growth in height showed no retardation during infancy, a small but consistent retardation during childhood, a more pronounced delay at adolescence, and a catch-up growth toward adulthood. The mean adolescent growth spurt is delayed by about 1.3 yr. Bone age has been analyzed mixed-longitudinally in a subsample of 370 patients (660 observations) and showed a slight retardation at all ages between 6 and 13 yr. Development of pubic hair of 91 subjects analyzed cross-sectionally was definitely retarded when compared to adequate reference data. Evidence was given that factors secondary to the asthmatic syndrome are involved in the retardation of growth and development.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Determination by Skeleton
  • Asthma* / physiopathology
  • Bacterial Infections / complications
  • Belgium
  • Body Height
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Growth Disorders / etiology
  • Growth*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Puberty
  • Sampling Studies
  • Stress, Physiological / complications