Publication:

Epidemiological study, clinical spectrum and associations of childhood vitiligo in a tertiary care centre

Background Childhood vitiligo is a special subtype and is seen in significant proportion of vitiligo patients. There are only a few clinical studies in the past which address the clinical spectrum of vitiligo in children. This study on eighty cases of childhood vitiligo will cover the epidemiology and clinical spectrum.

Methods To study the epidemiology, clinical spectrum and associations in childhood vitiligo. Inclusion criteria: all new cases of vitiligo in children under 12 years attending the outpatient department of Dermatology, exclusion criteria: old treated cases of vitiligo and age more than 12 years. Statistical analysis was done using mean and percentage of means.

Results Most common age group affected includes 4-6 years. Most common site of initial lesion was head and neck followed by upper limb, lower limb and trunk. Most common clinical type was vitiligo vulgaris followed by focal type then segmental. Lip tip type was least common type.

Conclusions Childhood vitiligo is a serious issue and the knowledge of its various patterns and associations needs to be updated at regular intervals.