Thalidomide responsiveness in an infant with Behçet's syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Behçet's syndrome is a 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.


METHODS
We report a case of an infant with features of Behçet's syndrome who did not respond to conventional immunosuppression with high-dose corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents. Thalidomide, a potent immune response-modifying drug, was used with marked improvement and resolution of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
This finding supports a trial of thalidomide treatment in patients with Behçet's syndrome who are unresponsive to other forms of immunosuppressive therapy or develop undesirable side effects.
Shek
L P
LP
Department of Pediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119074. paeleebw@nus.edu.sg
Lee
Y S
YS
Lee
B W
BW
Lehman
T J
TJ
D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide