LIFE-THREATENING TRANSIENT NEONATAL BEHCETS-DISEASE

This case report describes transient neonatal Behcet's disease, with l ife-threatening complications in the neonate. Male Baby R developed bl ood-streaked diarrhoea 5 days after birth, followed by recurrent sever e scarring orogenital ulceration and vasculitic skin lesions. In his s ixth week of life, he developed strider leading to a respiratory arres t and necessitating assisted ventilation. No infective cause was isola ted. Baby R responded well to i.v. and subsequent oral steroid therapy . At 8 weeks old he had fully recovered and remains well. Baby R's mot her was not previously known to have Behcet's disease. During the preg nancy, she be an to suffer orogenital ulceration, associated with skin lesions typical of Behcet's disease. Mild orogenital ulceration has b ecome recurrent.