CIRCULATORY-SYSTEM IN CHILDREN WITH LOCALIZED SCLERODERMA

The circulatory system was studied in 43 children (ages 3-18 years, me an 10.6 years; 32 girls, 11 boys) suffering from localized cutaneous f orms of scleroderma. The following studies were undertaken: general pe diatric examination, cardiologic examination including routine electro cardiogram (EGG), 24-h Holter ECG monitoring, echocardiography plus Do ppler study, and a treadmill exercise test. Three children found to ha ve congenital heart malformations were excluded from the study. Childr en with localized scleroderma were often lighter and shorter than thei r appropriate controls. The most common ECG abnormality was incomplete right bundle branch block, but other ECG and Holter abnormalities wer e found as well. Abnormal echocardiographic results were obtained in 1 6 cases. The abnormalities concerned valvar function (in all heart val ves but predominantly in the mitral valve). It was found that the chil dren suffering from scleroderma had different indices than controls fo r left ventricular mass index, mitral valve function and left ventricu lar filling. During the exercise test (conducted according to Bruce's protocol) we found no difference between patients and controls.