Pregnancy outcome in women with vitiligo

Vitiligo, characterized by destruction of melanocytes, causes a patchy depigmentation of the skin. It has been hypothesized to have an autoimmune pathogenesis. Autoimmune disorders are more common among women and may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as recurrent abortions, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and pre-eclampsia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with vitiligo have increased rates of gestational complications.

A retrospective comparative study was undertaken comparing pregnancy complications of patients with and without vitiligo. The population was composed of all singleton deliveries that occurred at the Soroka University Medical Center in Israel during the years 1988-2006. Women lacking prenatal care and multiple gestations were excluded from the study. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to control for confounders.

Of 186,222 singleton deliveries, 79 (0.04%) were patients with vitiligo. Vitiligo was not found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including obstetric risk factors, labor characteristics and complications, and birth outcome. Using multivariable analysis, only grand multiparity (above five deliveries) was independently associated with vitiligo (OR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.2-3.2; P = 0.007).

Retrospective analysis was a limitation.

Vitiligo is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Accordingly, patients with vitiligo should not be managed differently from the general obstetric population.