Childhood vitiligo: a prospective hospital-based study

Abstract

Eighty-eight consecutive children presenting with vitiligo to a hospital dermatology clinic in a 1-year period were assessed clinically, and for autoimmune and endocrine disorders. Vitiligo started between 8 and 12 years of age in 51% of our patients. A positive family history was obtained in 27.3% of the patients. Vitiligo vulgaris was the most common clinical type seen. Three patients, though clinically asymptomatic, showed antithyroid antibodies. Our results are compared with those published previously on the subject.