Behcet’s (beh-CHETS) disease, also called Behcet’s syndrome, is a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels throughout the body (Behcet’s disease, 2019). An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells. In particular, this multisystem inflammatory disorder is characterized by ulcers affecting the mouth and genitals, various skin lesions, and abnormalities affecting the eyes. Additional systems of the body may also be affected including the joints, blood vessels, central nervous system, and/or digestive tract (NORD, 2019). The cause of behcet’s disease remains unknown, however it is thought that genetic predisposition and environmental triggers may lead to an autoimmune response. According to American Behcet’s Disease Association (ABDA), anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents are the current therapies to manage behcet’s symptoms.
Depending on the child’s stage of development, here are some key words you can use when explaining Behcet’s Disease to children:
• Blood Vessels – the pathways in your body that move your blood from one part of your body to another
• Immune system – the parts of your body that protect you from germs the could make you sick
• Inflammation – red and swollen
According to American Behcet’s Disease Association (ABDA), symptoms of Behcet’s disease may include:
• Skin Lesions
• Ocular Manifestations
• Arthritis – pain, swelling, or stiffness of the joints in the knees, ankles, wrists, and elbows
• Genital Lesions
• Gastrointestinal Lesions – ulcers of the ileum, anorexia (lack of appetite), pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding
• Oral Lesions
• Lung Involvement – cough, dyspnea (shortness of breath), and rarely, pulmonary artery aneurysms
• Central Nervous System Involvement – headaches, confusion, strokes, personality changes, and memory loss
Behcet’s Disease Facts
• The mean age of onset is between 25 and 30 years (ABDA, n.d.).
• Less than 10% of individuals living with behcet’s disease are juveniles (ABDA, n.d.).
• Approximately 50% of individuals living with behcet’s disease experience pain (arthralgia) and swelling of the joints (polyarthritis) (NORD, 2019).
• Approximately 10%-20% of individuals with behçet’s disease also have involvement of the central nervous system (NORD, 2019).
Resources
- Websites
• https://www.behcets.com
• https://www.behcetsconnection.com - Books
• Essential Guide to Behcet’s Disease by Joanne Zeis
• Behcet’s Disease (MyModernHealth FAQs) by Joanne Zeis
• You Are Not Alone: 15 People with Behcet’s by Joanne Zeis
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References
American Behcet’s Disease Association (ABDA). (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2020, from https://www.behcets.com/
Behcet’s disease. (2019, March 07). Retrieved October 23, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/behcets-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351326
Behçet’s syndrome. NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). (2019). Retrieved January from https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/behcets-syndrome/