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A Single-Center Retrospective Study of Pediatric Vitiligo in a Tertiary Hospital
Laura Beth Martin1, Francisco José García Diaz1, José Bernabeu Wittel2
1Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain.
Insights
Vitiligo management is often unknown to primary care doctors. This study highlights vitiligo characteristics in children, finding treatments like calcineurin inhibitors and topical steroids effective for repigmentation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Autoimmune Disorders
- Dermatology
Background:
- Vitiligo is a common skin condition, yet its management is poorly understood by many primary care physicians and pediatricians.
- Existing literature primarily focuses on adult vitiligo, leaving a gap in understanding its impact and characteristics in pediatric populations.
- This study addresses the need for more information on childhood vitiligo, focusing on clinical presentation and treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of vitiligo in a pediatric cohort.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of common treatments, including calcineurin inhibitors, topical steroids, and phototherapy, in children with vitiligo.
- To identify associated dermatological and autoimmune conditions in children diagnosed with vitiligo.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study was conducted over 10 years at a single center.
- Data from 254 children diagnosed with vitiligo were analyzed.
- Patient demographics, vitiligo type, family history, comorbidities, treatments received, and treatment responses were recorded.
Main Results:
- The study included 254 children (50.4% male) with a mean age of 8.24 years, predominantly with non-segmented vitiligo.
- A notable percentage had a family history of vitiligo (12.59%) or autoimmune diseases (11.4%), and comorbidities included other dermatological (15.7%) and autoimmune diseases (9.05%).
- High rates of repigmentation were observed with calcineurin inhibitors (96.06%) and topical steroids (66.53%), with 16% of initial non-responders benefiting from subsequent phototherapy.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide valuable insights into the characteristics and effective management of vitiligo in children.
- Common treatments like calcineurin inhibitors and topical steroids demonstrate significant efficacy in achieving repigmentation.
- Long-term follow-up is crucial for monitoring treatment side effects and associated diseases in pediatric vitiligo patients.
Abstract:
Vitiligo is a common disorder; however, its management is unknown by many primary-care doctors and pediatricians. Most articles focus on adults; we analyze the characteristics and impact on children. A single-center retrospective study was conducted over 10 years on 254 children diagnosed with vitiligo. About 50.4% were male with a mean age of 8.24 years. There was a slight predominance of nonsegmented vitiligo. About 12.59% had family history of vitiligo and 11.4% of autoimmune diseases. Around 15.7% patients presented other dermatological diseases and 9.05%, autoimmune diseases. No significant statistical differences were found when comparing age, sex, and type of vitiligo with other variables. Almost 96.06% received treatment with calcineurin inhibitors and 66.53% topical steroids. Around 77% obtained repigmentation, and out of the initial nonresponders, 16% responded to phototherapy. In general, our results concur with the scarce literature. A long-term follow-up of children with vitiligo is needed to identify treatment side effects and diseases associated.
