Cardiac and Visceral Signs of Connective Tissue Dysplasia in Children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis According to Ultrasound Examination Data

Abstract

To study the cardiac and visceral signs of connective tissue dysplasia in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a comprehensive ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity organs and echocardiography examination were conducted according to the standard protocol in 52 children aged from 5 to 16 years with the diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The reference group consisted of 26 patients with autonomic dysfunction (vegetative-vascular dystonia). The incidence of such visceral dysplasia types as duodenogastric reflux, gastroesophageal reflux, and gallbladder malformations among children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was shown higher than in the reference group. The main cardiac sign of connective tissue dysplasia in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are an excessive chord of the left ventricle.