[Nailfold capillaroscopy in the study of microcirculation in childhood]

The nailfold capillaroscopy allows to study the microcirculation: for its simple and rapid execution it can be used also in children. We examined the nailfold capillaroscopy features in childhood and valued the maturation of microcirculation in connection to age and presented some pathologic patterns. We studied nailfold capillaroscopy patterns in sixty-six children without chronic cutaneous diseases. Our results showed that development of microcirculation during childhood is incomplete. In connection to age we observed the capillaries are arranged as arches in children younger than six months, there are disposed as saddles between 12 and 24 months and they became similar to those of the adult at about 10-11 years. We observed immature capillaries in one child with hypothyroidism and one's delay growth. The cutaneous hemorrhages were rarely found in children who bit the in nails. The capillaroscopy is helpful to value the maturation of the capillaries from the birth to the adolescence. Moreover we would like to underline how our children took part to this exam almost like as if it were a game.