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Vitiligo in Children: A Distinct Subset
1Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Quetta.
Insights
This study found that childhood vitiligo commonly begins before age 10, with generalized vitiligo being the most frequent type. Female children were more often affected by this skin condition.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition characterized by depigmentation.
- Childhood vitiligo presents unique clinical and epidemiological features.
- Understanding the clinical profile is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the clinical characteristics of vitiligo in pediatric patients.
- To identify common subtypes and onset patterns of childhood vitiligo.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study was conducted involving 157 children under 15 years old diagnosed with vitiligo.
- Data collection included detailed history, physical examination, and analysis using SPSS.
- The study period spanned from January 2010 to June 2013.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients (78.3%) developed vitiligo before age 10.
- Generalized vitiligo was the most prevalent type (52.9%), often starting on the head and neck (47.8%).
- A family history was noted in 31.2% of cases, with Koebner phenomenon in 24.8% and associated diseases in 5.1%.
Conclusions:
- Childhood vitiligo predominantly affects children under 10 years old.
- Generalized vitiligo is the most common clinical presentation.
- Female children exhibited a higher incidence of vitiligo.
Objective:
To determine clinical profile of vitiligo in children.
Study Design:
A descriptive study.
Place And Duration Of Study:
Combined Military Hospital, Abbottabad, from January 2010 to June 2013.
Methodology:
All new patients below the age of 15 years, clinically diagnosed to have vitiligo, were included in the study. A detailed history was obtained, thorough physical examination was performed, and findings were recorded on a specially designed proforma for each patient separately. Computer programme SPSS-14 was used to manage and analyze the data.
Results:
Out of 157 children, 68 (43.3%) were males and 89 (56.7%) were females. Mean age at onset was 6.55 ±3.43 years. The disease started before 10 years of age in 123 (78.3%) children. Average duration of the disease was 1.48 ±1.87 years. Average duration of the disease was 1.73 ±2.09 years in male children and 1.29 ±1.67 years in female children. Generalized vitiligo was the commonest type (n = 83, 52.9%). The disease started most commonly from head and neck (n = 75, 47.8%). A family history of vitiligo was found in forty-nine (31.2%) children, Koebner phenomenon in 39 (24.8%) children and associated autoimmune or endocrine diseases in 8 (5.1%) patients.
Conclusion:
Majority of the children developed the disease before 10 years of age. Generalized vitiligo was the commonest type. Childhood vitiligo was more common in female children.
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