Pediatric Behcet's Disease Patient with Cardiac Valvular Lesions: case report and a review of the literature

Abstract

Background To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment regimen, and prognosis of cardiac valvular involvement in pediatric Behcet's disease. Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data obtained from one pediatric patient suffering from Behcet's disease with cardiac valvular involvement. Present study also reviewed the literature related to cardiac involvement in pediatric Behcet's disease. Results The disease onset in the female patient was reported at the age of 3 years, with clinical symptoms, including apthous ulcers, fever, perianal ulcers, and erythema nodosum, accompanied by a significant increase in the inflammatory markers. Echocardiography indicated that aortic valve (AV) lesions, which were absent initially, developed later, gradually exacerbated. Initially, she was diagnosed as "infectious disease" and "systemic inflammatory response syndrome", and antibiotic therapy proved ineffective. After an accurate diagnosis of Behcet's disease, the patient was given glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and biologics, which resulted in the relief of the symptoms; however, cardiac valvular lesions continued to exacerbate. Subsequent treatment included medical treatment and surgical treatment, and the patient's condition was stable at follow-up. Conclusions Cardiac valvular lesions in pediatric Behcet's disease are rare with insidious onset, enhancing the propensity of misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. Main manifestations include recurrent oral ulceration, skin lesions, and fever. Cardiac involvement may occur early, yet the symptoms are insidious, requiring comprehensive physical examination and close monitoring of echocardiography. Glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressants are the primary therapy for cardiac involvement in Behcet's disease. When cardiac valvular damage and dysfunction are observed, treatment regimens can be jointly recommended by multidisciplinary consultation to conduct the surgical treatment on time.