Background: Nailfold capillaroscopy is a technique used in childhood and adults for morpho-functional study of peripheral microcirculation. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the evolution of the microcirculation.
Methods: Nailfold capillaroscopy was performed in eighty-six healthy children (48 boys and 38 girls) aged 5 months to 16 years. All the subjects were divided into 5 groups for age.
Results: A progressive morphological and dynamic development of peripheral microcirculation in the early years of life was observed.
Conclusions: Therefore, nailfold capillaroscopy is a simple, noninvasive, easily repetitive method which allows to observe the physiological development and a possible pathology of naifold capillaries.