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Vitiligo in Children: A Birds Eye View

Meghana M Phiske1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, L.T.M.M.C and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, 400022, India. meghanaphiske@rediffmail.com.

Current Pediatric Reviews
|January 16, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric vitiligo presents unique characteristics compared to adult cases, often including a family history of autoimmune conditions and a higher prevalence of segmental vitiligo. Treatments effective in adults may be less beneficial for children with this skin condition.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pediatrics
  • Autoimmunology

Background:

  • Vitiligo in children represents a distinct clinical subset with unique epidemiological and clinical features.
  • It differs significantly from adult-onset vitiligo, necessitating specific diagnostic and management considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the characteristic features of vitiligo in the pediatric population.
  • To compare pediatric vitiligo with adult vitiligo regarding prevalence, associated conditions, and treatment responses.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and clinical data on pediatric vitiligo.
  • Comparative analysis of clinical presentations, family history, and treatment outcomes between pediatric and adult vitiligo cohorts.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric vitiligo is characterized by a family history of autoimmune/endocrine disease, higher incidence of segmental vitiligo, early graying, and increased autoantibodies.
  • Vitiligo vulgaris is the most common type (78%), associated autoimmune disease is thyroiditis, and response to topical PUVA is often poor.
  • Prevalence varies (0.1-4%), higher in India, and more frequent in females; 12-35% have affected family members.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric vitiligo exhibits distinct features necessitating tailored approaches.
  • Commonly used adult treatments like phototherapy and topical corticosteroids show limited efficacy in children.
  • Further research into pediatric-specific treatments for vitiligo is warranted.

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