Childhood Behcet's disease: clinical features and comparison with adult-onset disease

Objective. To study the clinical spectrum of Behcet's disease (BD) in child hood, in comparison to adult-onset disease. Methods. Nineteen children, who fulfilled disease criteria up to the age of 16 yr, were studied. The results were compared to those of 34 adult patien ts with ED. An activity index and severity score were calculated for both s tudy groups. Results. The mean age of disease onset was 6.9 +/- 3.9 yr, similar ages of onset were found in males and females. The clinical spectrum of childhood E D resembled that of adult disease; however, the prevalence of certain manif estations was different between children and adults. Children with ED had s ignificantly less genital ulcers, less vascular thromboses and more nonspec ific gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as central nervous system involveme nt and arthralgia. A relatively high prevalence of uveitis was found in chi ldhood ED. The activity index and severity score were significantly lower i n children than in adults. Conclusion. Our results point to a similar systemic expression of ED in chi ldren and adults; however, the disease seems to run a less severe course in children.