Circulatory system in children with localized scleroderma.

The circulatory system was studied in 43 children (ages 3-18 years, mean 10.6 years; 32 girls, 11 boys) suffering from localized cutaneous forms of scleroderma. The following studies were undertaken: general pediatric examination, cardiologic examination including routine electrocardiogram (ECG), 24-h Holter ECG monitoring, echocardiography plus Doppler study, and a treadmill exercise test.

[Echocardiography examinations in children suffering from cutaneous forms of scleroderma].

In 34 children suffering from so called cutaneous forms of scleroderma and in 30 healthy subjects echocardiographic cardiac assessment as well as doppler analysis of mitral valve function was performed. It was found that sclerodermic children suffered more frequently from cardiac valves regurgitation (especially insufficiency of mitral valve). However, these insufficiencies were usually negligible or corresponding to Io.

Premictional volume and contractility of the urinary bladder in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Ultrasonographic measurements of the urinary bladder in 21 women with systemic sclerosis (SSc) revealed abnormal volume of the bladder in about 65% of patients; 6/21 had a smaller bladder and 7/21 had a larger bladder than the controls. The volume of the remaining urine after miction was higher in 7 patients. Fibrosis of the bladder wall leading to a small rigid bladder and ureteral obstruction resulting in a large bladder with low contractility are suggested as phenomena involved in disturbed function of the urinary bladder in SSc patients.