Treatment of Childhood Vitiligo: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Vitiligo is an acquired disorder of skin pigmentation caused by selective loss of melanocyte function, with
associated pigment dilution of the affected skin areas. It affects 0.1- 2.16 % of the world's population sparing
no age group, sex, or race. More than 20% of cases of vitiligo are diagnosed before the age of 10 years. It is
an autoimmune skin condition that is characterized by the presence of depigmented patches with a loss of
natural colour. Vitiligo skin lesion appears amelanotic, without scales, and with a clear margin. Vitiligo has a
great psychological impact on the lives of children affected. Treatment is often challenging in children as
most of the modalities available cannot be used for them.
This case report is a typical example of how vitiligo can be treated in children using the available options for
the age group. This report highlights the established guidelines for the treatment of vitiligo in children and
identifies the gaps that exist in the treatment of vitiligo in children in this region.
Keywords: Childhood vitiligo, depigmentation, treatment, children