Behçet Disease in Children

Purpose: To investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of Behcet disease in children.Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of 3382 patients with Behcet disease from October 1986 to December 2005 at Ankara University Medical School Behcet Unit and/or Atmaca private clinic.Results: 110 children were diagnosed with Behcet disease. The 110 children represented 3.3% of the total number of Behcet patients that were reviewed. 62.7% were girls and 37.3% were boys. The mean age at initial manifestation was 11.63 ± 3.46 years and at diagnosis was 14.15 ± 2.13 years. Ocular involvement was found in 30.9% of the children. Of these, 61.8% were bilateral and 38.2% were unilateral. Anterior uveitis was found in 18 eyes (32.8%), posterior uveitis in 24 eyes (43.6%), and panuveitis in 13 eyes (23.6%).Conclusion: Behcet disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of childhood uveitis, particularly in endemic areas. The collaboration of pediatricians, rheumatologists, dermatolog...