Capillaroscopic Examination Should Be Performed in Children With Atopic Dermatitis

Nail changes can be detected in children with atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a recent study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology.

“In the present study, the aim was to determine the clinical and disease-related capillaroscopic findings of nail findings in pediatric patients with AD,” said the study authors.

Researchers studied 100 participants aged 2 to 16 years who were admitted to a dermatology outpatient clinic. Of the 100, 50 were diagnosed with AD and 50 were healthy volunteers. SCORing Atopic Dermatitis was calculated for all patients.

Nail findings in patients with AD included pitting, punctate leukonychia, trachyonychia, onycholysis, and onychomadesis. The capillary density decrease was higher in the patient group than in the control group, along with irregularity in capillary array (P˂.001), increase in capillary dilatation (P˂.001), tortuosity (P=.04), increase in ramification (P=.02), bush-like appearance (P=.02) and avascular areas (P=.002).

“In conclusion, nailfold capillaroscopic images of pediatric patients with AD were similar to scleroderma spectrum disorder,” concluded the study authors. “Hence, it was considered that it would be beneficial to support the detailed clinical examination of the patients with a capillaroscopic examination,” they added.

Reference
Arslan Uku S, Demir B, Cicek D, Inan Yuksel E. Assessment of nail findings in children with atopic dermatitis. Clin Exp Dermatol. Published online June 5, 2021. doi:10.1111/ced.14783