Sublingual microcirculation in healthy pediatric population using the sidestream dark-field imaging method

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Krausova, Vlasta^{a; b} | Neumann, David^{b; c; d} | Kraus, Jaroslav^e | Dostalova, Vlasta^f | Dostal, Pavel^{f; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Pediatrics, Masaryk Hospital, Krajska Zdravotni, Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic | [b] Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralové, Czech Republic | [c] Department of Pediatrics, Trutnov Hospital, Trutnov, Czech Republic | [d] Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic | [e] Department od Orthopedics, Masaryk Hospital, Krajska Zdravotni, Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic | [f] Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Pavel Dostal, MD, Ph.D., Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charles University, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. E-mail: pavel.dostal@fnhk.cz.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The sidestream dark-field imaging method is used to study microcirculation. Normal values of sublingual microcirculation parameters in healthy children of different age and gender categories are unknown. OBJECTIVE:The study’s main goal was to determine normal values of selected parameters of sublingual microcirculation in healthy children of different age and gender categories. METHODS:40 healthy children were measured, ten aged 3-5.9 years, ten aged 6-10.9 years, ten aged 11-14.9 years, and ten aged 15-18.9 years. After recording the basic anthropometric parameters and vital functions, each volunteer had their microcirculation measured using an SDF probe placed sublingually. Three video clips were recorded and processed offline, and the three best and most stable parts of each were analyzed. RESULTS:Total vascular density, small vessel density, proportion of perfused small vessels, perfused vessel density, perfused small vessel density, and DeBacker’s score were significantly higher in females than in males. There were no differences between age groups in microcirculation parameters except MFI. CONCLUSIONS:Age does not influence normal values of microcirculatory parameters. Female gender was associated with higher vessel density, perfused vessel density, and DeBacker’s score. A suggestion of the normal range of microcirculatory parameters in healthy children is provided.

Keywords: Sidestream dark-field imaging, sublingual microcirculation, healthy child

DOI: 10.3233/CH-231851

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 85, no. 2, pp. 163-171, 2023