Thalidomide responsiveness in an infant with Behcet's syndrome

Background. Behcet's syndrome is chronic relapsing vasculitis characterized by aphthous stomatitis, genital ulcerations, and uveitis. The disease is a multisystem illness, which may involve the skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, central nervous system, and other organs. Case Study. We report a case of an infant with features of Behcet's syndrom e who did not respond to conventional immunosuppression with high-dose cort icosteroids and cytotoxic agents. Thalidomide, a potent immune response-mod ifying drug, was used with marked improvement and resolution of symptoms. Conclusion. This finding supports a trial of thalidomide treatment in patie nts with Behcet's syndrome who are unresponsive to other forms of immunosup pressive therapy or develop undesirable side effects.