Capillary Microscopy

ATTENTION has recently been directed toward the anatomy and physiology of the microvasculature. In humans, the direct observation of capillaries has been limited to but a few areas, namely, the conjunctivae, ocular fundi, and the skin. Because of its unique anatomic structure, the nailbed affords a readily accessible area for microscopic visualization of the capillaries. Capillary microscopy was originally described in 1912 by Lombard1and subsequently reviewed in the pediatric literature by Leader.2Recently Kontras and Bodenbender3described abnormal capillary morphology in congenital heart disease and noted its association with blood coagulation defects. Similar studies have also been reported in mongoloid children.2The present investigation was undertaken to extend these observations and to study the morphology of the nailbed capillaries in children with cystic fibrosis. Materials and Methods One hundred and ten children and adolescents were examined. Twenty (age 4 to 16 years) were normal, 23