Abstract: morphology of red blood cells of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis was oiaserved with scanning electron microscope. Varying sized RBC and deformed RBC, such as mouth shaped and crest shaped RBC, were seen in 11 cases, the detection rate being 1.68±0.45%, significantly higher than that of control group 0.33±0.12% (n=13) (P<0.02). The morphologica! changes were found to have no correlation with the severity of the disease, hardness of the skin, involvement of the internal organs and the abnormal values of laboratory examinations, but with the severity of Ravnaud's phenomenon.

Key words: Red blood cells, Scleroderma, systemic