Nailfold Capillaroscopic Assessment in Pediatric Uveitis Patients

Nailfold Capillaroscopic Assessment in Pediatric Uveitis Patients

Pediatric uveitis accounts for 5-10% of uveitis cases. it may be infectious or noninfectious in etiology. The etiology of noninfectious uveitis may be autoimmune. The most common causes of pediatric uveitis are idiopathic and juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis. Uveitis morbidities in pediatric patients include cataract, glaucoma, and amblyopia. Pediatric uveitis may be accopanied by involvement of the ocular vasculature, such as retinal vasculitis. We hypothesize that there are differences in systemic microcirculation between pediatric uveitis patients and healthy pediatric controls.

The systemic microcirculation will be investigated through nailfold capillaroscopic (NFC) assessment with noninfectious uveitis and healthy pediatric controls.

The NFC parameters are:

capillary density (number of capillaries per mm), dilated capillaries (apex of >20µm), avascular areas, the presence of microhemorrhages, and capillary morphology (normal, multiple crossings, tortuous, bushy, ramified, non-convex, or bizarre capillaries).

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with uveitis < 18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• infectious uveitis
• age > 18 years old