Vitiligo in Children

Arucha Treesirichod; Wanida Limpongsanurak; Srisupalak Singalavanija

Authors

Arucha Treesirichod DIVISION OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS, QUEEN SIRIKIT NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH, BANGKOK THAILAND
Wanida Limpongsanurak DIVISION OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS, QUEEN SIRIKIT NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH, BANGKOK THAILAND
Srisupalak Singalavanija DIVISION OF DERMATOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS, QUEEN SIRIKIT NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH, BANGKOK THAILAND

Keywords:

Vitiligo, Thyroid dysfunction, Children

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo occurs with a frequency of 0.5-2% in various populations and is classified into several subtypes by its clinical presentation. An increased prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in adult patients with vitiligo has been described. This association has scarcely been studied in children.

Objectives: To study the clinical and epidemiologic profile of childhood vitiligo and assess for the presence of thyroid dysfunction.

Materials and Methods: Forty-four children with vitiligo were studied by physical examination and labolatory studies. Information about the age, sex, age of onset and diagnosis, distribution, family history and associated symptoms were recorded. Serum total T4, total T3, TSH and antithyroid antibodies were also measured.

Results: Of the 44 children, 19(43.2%) were boys and 25(56.8%) were girls. The mean age was 7.8 years, ranging from 1.3-14.3 years. The mean age at onset was 6.2 years, ranging from 1-13.3 years. Focal type was the most common type (38.6%), followed by segmental (29.5%), acrofacial (11.4%), vulgaris (18.2%) and mixed type (2.3%). The most common site was head/neck area (60.4%) followed by trunk (15.5%) lower limbs (15.5%),and upper limbs (8.6%). Majority of the children had limited disease involving less than 10% body surface area. Poliosis was present in 16 patients (36.4%), halo nevi was observed in 1 patient (2.3%). Four patients (9.1%) had a family history of vitiligo. Of total 25 patients with complete laboratory studies, only 1 patient (4%) had an associated autoimmune thyroiditis without symptoms.Conclusion: Vitiligo in children is slightly prominated in girl and majority of the children has limited disease involving less than 10% of their body area. Although the association with autoimmune thyroiditis which are commonly found in adults seem to be less common in children, routine screening for these diseases in children need further studies.

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