Clinico-epidemiological profile of childhood vitiligo: Experience from a tertiary care center of Northeast India

Background: Vitiligo is a common acquired skin disease characterized by depigmented macules and patches due to loss of functional melanocytes. Childhood-onset vitiligo has distinct epidemiological and clinical characteristics as compared to that of late-onset disease. Studies on childhood vitiligo are rare from the North-eastern part of the country.
Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to study the clinical pattern of childhood vitiligo and its systemic association.
Materials and Methods: All children up to 13 years presenting with childhood vitiligo were taken as study participants. A detailed history, general physical examination, cutaneous examination including hair, nail, genitalia, mucosae, and systemic examination to note down associated diseases was done. Relevant investigations were carried out whenever necessary. Eye and ear examination was performed for each patient. The findings were recorded in a pro forma for analysis and interpretation of data.
Results: A total of 2544 pediatric patients attended the dermatology outpatient department during the study period, of which 52 cases had vitiligo. Thus, the occurrence of childhood vitiligo in the outpatient pediatric population was 2.04%. The most common age group at presentation was between 5 and 10 years (29; 55.77%). The most common initial site of involvement was head and neck (27; 51.92%). Vitiligo vulgaris was the most common type seen in 26 (50%) patients. A positive family history of vitiligo was obtained in 10 (19.23%) of the vitiligo patients. Seven (13.46%) childhood vitiligo patients were reported to have other associated diseases.
Conclusion: Childhood vitiligo is a common entity in this part of the country. Most patients of childhood vitiligo have a limited body surface area involvement and therefore have to be treated accordingly; avoiding systemic treatments whenever not necessary. Autoimmune and cutaneous associations are rare in childhood vitiligo, though may develop later on, lest the disease progresses.