Radiographic findings of scleroderma in childhood.

The radiographs of 12 children with the American Rheumatism Association criteria for scleroderma were analyzed and compared to the adult presentation. Childhood and adult manifestations of the disease differ. Although some similarities exist, tuft resorption and soft-tissue calcifications in the fingers are more common in childhood. In contrast, small bowel involvement, hand contractures, and erosive arthropathy are less frequent. In particular, inflammatory joint destruction was not identified in this small pediatric group.