Yes, but only as children. As young children, boys are almost twice as likely as girls are to develop asthma. Interestingly, the pattern is reversed when looking at asthma in older age groups. An article published in the medical journal Chest in October 2003 found that 62% of children with asthma (asthma patients younger than 18 years of age) were male, while 68% of the adult patients with asthma were female.
In studies of severe asthma, the preponderance of boys is notable as well: 2 of 3 children with severe asthma are boys. But, among adults with severe asthma, women account for two thirds of those affected. The gender-based differences are not understood. Theories suggest the influence of female hormones, as well as the difference in size between male and female lungs as they grow into adulthood.
Kerrin’s comment:
I find it interesting that my daughter never suffered from any allergies or asthma, but that my son has been struggling with both since shortly after he was born. After hearing all of the theories as to why this might be, a few pieces seem to fit into the puzzle.
Besides the greater tendency for young boys to develop asthma than young girls, my daughter began going to day care in the first year of her life. Of course, when she first started going, she would get sick a lot. Eventually, however, she seemed to adjust to the increased exposure to germs and would only very occasionally get sick.
My son didn’t start going to day care until after he was 2 years old, and is still very sensitive to germs, becoming sick on an almost weekly basis, with his asthma symptoms kicking in every time.