[Nailfold capillaroscopy in children and adolescents with rheumatic diseases]

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a simple, noninvasive and inexpensive method which allows a functional and morphological study of the capillary network through direct visualization of the distal row of periungueal capillaries of the fingers. This method has been used as a diagnostic auxiliary in diseases such as scleroderma, dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease. It has also been used to differentiate between active and non active diseases, especially dermatomyositis, and to distinguish between primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. Most reports of nailfold capillaroscopy are qualitative and semi-quantitative. Manuscripts describing quantitative methods (video-capillaroscopy) are scarce, particularly in childhood. The authors did a literature review based on Medline, Lilacs and Pubmed data using the keywords: nailfold capillaroscopy, colagenosis, Raynaud, children and adolescents.