%0 Journal Article
%T Description of the Characteristics of the Nailfold Capillary Structure in Healthy Children: A Multi-Centric Study.
%A Dundar HA
%A Adrovic A
%A Demir S
%A Demir F
%A Cakmak F
%A Ayaz NA
%A Sözeri B
%A Bilginer Y
%A Kasapçopur O
%A Unsal E
%J Rheumatology (Oxford)
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 May 22
%M 38775407
%F 7.046
%R 10.1093/rheumatology/keae296
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is the primary diagnostic tool for the assessment of microcirculation in the pediatric population.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To define and standardize age-specific normal NVC patterns in healthy children and adolescents.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A cross-sectional observational multicentric study was conducted in 564 participants aged 5-17 years. Dino-Lite CapillaryScope 200 Pro Model MEDL4N Pro was performed at 200× magnification. Quantitative and qualitative NVC parameters were analyzed separately for each age group and divided into 4 groups based on age categories.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Of the 564 healthy participants, 54.9% were female. A total of 1184 images and 3384 capillaries were analysed. Positive correlations were observed between age and capillary density (p < 0.001, R = 0.450, CI95% 0.398-0.503). There was also a positive correlation between age and arterial/venous, loop diameter and capillary length, whereas there was a weak negative correlation between intercapillary distance. However, no correlation was found between age and capillary width. In addition, capillary density was significantly lower in 5-7 age group compared to the other patient groups. Arterial limb diameter was lower in 5-7 age group, while venous limb diameter was significantly wider in 15-17 age group compared to the other patient groups. Dilated capillaries (8.7%), capillary tortuosity (14.4%), crossed capillaries (43.1%), micro-haemorrhages (2.7%), avascular area (4.8%) were present in all age groups. Excellent intra- and interobserver ICC values were obtained for all parameters.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>These findings hold potential significance for future studies, aiding in the analysis and differentiation of children suspected of rheumatological diseases with potential microangiopathy.