Behçet's syndrome in pregnancy

Abstract

Behçet's syndrome (BS), a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by oral and genital ulceration, eye inflammation and arthritis, usually presents in the third and fourth decades of life, but is rare in pregnancy. BS is not usually associated with a detrimental effect on pregnancy outcome. In most women BS is reported to improve in pregnancy, although it may not always follow a similar course in successive pregnancies and it is not possible to predict the course of BS in a particular pregnancy. Many of the drug therapies used to treat BS are safe to use in pregnancy and in the breastfeeding mother. These include corticosteroids, azathioprine, calcineurin inhibitors and probably colchicine. Experience with use of biologics in pregnancy is increasing. Drugs used in the management of BS that should be avoided in women planning a pregnancy include methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, thalidomide, cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil.