Clinical features of Behcet's disease in children

Background Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory vasculitis of young adults with unknown etiology. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features and outcome of BD in childhood. Patients and methods Seventeen patients with BD within a pediatric age group were studied since 1997. Results Boys : girls ratio was 12:5. Familial cases were very frequent (45%). Oral aphthous ulcers were present in all patients (100%), genital aphthous ulcers were present in 16 (94%), ocular lesions in 4 (24%), erythema nodosum in 3 (18%), papulopustules in 8 (47%), joint symptoms in 13 (76%), mild gastrointestinal symptoms in 2 (12%), neurological involvement in 2 (12%), positive pathergy reactions in 13 (76%), and thrombophlebitis in 1 (6%). We used colchicine, systemic corticosteroids, cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfasalazine, and topical agents for the treatment of children with BD. Conclusion The findings of BD in children are similar as in adults, but the frequency of familial cases is significantly higher.