The effect of mechanical forces on in utero lung growth in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Lung development is a complex process of lung growth and maturation. Although lung maturation appears to be principally regulated by hormonal and biochemical factors, lung growth appears to depend more on physical factors such as lung liquid volume, fetal breathing movements, the size of the intrathoracic space, and the amniotic fluid volume. This article focuses on these physical factors. Specific emphasis is given to the normal mechanisms responsible for lung growth, as well as the consequences of disruption of these normal mechanisms.