Clinical and epidemiological profile of childhood vitiligo: analysis of 113 cases diagnosed at a dermatology referral center from 2004 to 2014

Abstract

Introducao: Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune form of hypopigmentation or depigmentation in which half of the cases begins in childhood. Objectives: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of childhood vitiligo in a referral center for dermatology. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out based on the analysis of medical records of patients younger than 13 years diagnosed with vitiligo from 2004 to 2014. Results: Of the 113 cases identified, 54% were female and 46% male, the age ranged from 0 to 12 years, with most patients in the 4-8 years-old subgroup (54.8%). In 59% of the medical records there was no record of triggering factors of vitiligo; 31% of patients associated the onset of the illness to emotional stress, 3% to physical trauma and 7% did not associate it to any triggering factor. Conclusions: The discreet prevalence in women has also been reported in other studies. Vitiligo behavior in children is different from that observed in adults. The influence of psychological factors as triggers and potential lasting effects on self-esteem should be considered in the approach of the patient. Although studies on vitiligo in this age group are scarce in the literature, the results of the present study were similar to the reports already available in the literature.