Childhood vitiligo

Abstract

Vitiligo is a depigmentation disorder resulting from autoimmune destruction of cutaneous melanocytes. The psychosocial ramifications of this often disfiguring disease can be substantial. Half of the patients with vitiligo experience disease onset in childhood. Although largely similar to the disease in adults, pediatric vitiligo does have differences in epidemiology, associations, and treatment. We review vitiligo as it relates to the pediatric population, emphasizing key differences with adults and the latest treatment advances.