Hepato-splenic and lipid profile abnormalities--do they exist in children affected with vitiligo?

Autoimmune disturbances and metabolic abnormalities observed in vitiligo, a disease of still unclear etiology, may provide evidence on the systemic nature of the disease. The aim of the study was to assess functional and morphological parameters of the liver and spleen, as well as the lipid profile in vitiligo-affected children, in order to ascertain whether any metabolic abnormalities or structural changes in these organs accompanied the course of vitiligo. The study included 34 patients with vitiligo hospitalized at the Department of Dermatology at the Medical University of Lublin and a control group of 35 healthy individuals, aged 7-15 years. Children with the active phase of vitiligo and at least 6 month history of vitiligo lesions were studied. Ultrasound examination of the liver and spleen enabled assessment of the size and parenchyma of the organs. Liver and spleen functions were assessed by means of the following additional examinations: blood test, transaminases, protein electrophoresis, lipid profile, autoantibodies, and HCV antibodies. The size of the liver was not significantly different in the vitiligo and control groups. The ultrasonographic pictures of the spleen revealed no abnormalities in organ size and structure. The concentration of HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower, whereas the concentration of LDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in patients with vitiligo than in healthy controls. The value of the LDL/HDL ratio was significantly higher in vitiligo patients. The results of our study indicate lipid disturbances in vitiligo-affected children. Since no structural and functional abnormalities in the liver and spleen were found, it seems likely that lipid disturbances in vitiligo may result from disturbed metabolic processes in the adipose tissue as well as from oxidative stress.