[Behçet's disease: pediatric features].

Abstract

There is an increased awareness about the pediatric aspects of Behçet's disease (BD) in the world literature. Recent surveys of patients have outlined peculiar features in this age group such as recurrent attacks of fever and abdominal pain. Considered to be uncommon in childhood, uveitis have a very severe course. The higher frequency of familial cases and the genetic anticipation suggest that the genetic component plays a major role in the early expression of the disease. Pediatric aspects of BD including different categories of patients, are not definitely characterized. Indeed it is now necessary to distinguish the pediatric group (BD completed before 16 years) from the "juvenile" group (adult patients with first symptoms before 16 years).