Nailfold videocapillaroscopy reveals early microvascular changes in pediatric epilepsy.

UNLABELLED: Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) provides a non-invasive and reproducible approach to visualize and quantify microvascular morphology. Originally standardized for evaluating Raynaud's phenomenon and systemic sclerosis, NVC has recently been applied to a broader range of non-rheumatologic conditions. In epilepsy, both the disease process and long-term exposure to anti-seizure medications (ASMs) may alter endothelial function and microvascular integrity. The present study was conducted to examine the relationship between ASM monotherapy and nailfold capillary morphology in children with epilepsy.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 36 children with epilepsy and 38 age- and sex-matched controls. All patients received monotherapy with valproic acid (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ), levetiracetam (LEV), oxcarbazepine (OXC), lamotrigine (LTG), or topiramate (TPM) for ≥6 months. NVC (×200 magnification) was used to assess capillary density, apical loop diameter, tortuosity, hemorrhages, and abnormal morphology.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, patients exhibited significantly wider apical loop width (15.6 [13.1-17.4] μm vs. 14 [13-15] μm; p = 0.007) and a higher frequency of reduced capillary density (<7 cap/mm: 25% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.023). Dilated capillaries were also more frequent among patients (41.7% vs. 15.8%; p = 0.020). Correlation analysis demonstrated positive associations between treatment duration and apical loop width (r = 0.32, p = 0.055), dilated capillary count (r = 0.36, p = 0.043), and abnormal capillary count (r = 0.40, p = 0.025). In subgroup analyses, patients treated with VPA and CBZ had significantly lower capillary density than those receiving newer-generation ASMs (p = 0.023). In contrast, crossed capillaries were more prominent in the newer-drug group (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Chronic ASMs exposure, particularly valproic acid, may lead to subtle but measurable alterations in microcirculation. NVC may serve as a practical, non-invasive method for the early detection of endothelial dysfunction in pediatric epilepsy and could aid long-term vascular monitoring in this population.