NORMAL VALUES FOR LUNG-FUNCTION TESTS IN SUDANESE CHILDREN

Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory now rates (PEFR) were determined In 400 hea lthy Sudanese school children aged between seven and 12 years aiming t o establish normal values of lung indices. Both Wright's and Mini Wrig ht's Peak Flow Metres (PFM) were used to measure the PEFR. The results were analysed with respect to age, weight, standing and sitting heigh ts and the correlation coefficients (r) were calculated. Among the var iable used, standing height (H) showed the best correlation with PEFR (r=0.97) and with FEV(1) (r=0.90). The scatter diagrams produced by pl otting the values of each of the lung function indices against age, we ight, or height were comparable, Readings obtained using Mini Wright's PFM were higher than those of the wright's by a mean of 18.0 and 16.0 litres for boys and girls, respectively, Prediction formulae for mean points have been produced with age and standing heights as independen t variables, The indices of Sudanese children are similar to those of the Libyan, higher than those of the Nigerian and Indian and lower tha n of the European and American children.