Narrow-band ultraviolet B in childhood vitiligo: An open prospective uncontrolled study in 28 children of South India

Abstract

Background: Management of vitiligo in children is difficult as therapeutic options are restricted when compared to that in adult patients. Selection of treatment should be careful in these patients with the aim to achieve best results with minimal side effects. Only few studies have been performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of narrow-band ultraviolet B (NBUVB) therapy in children with vitiligo. Aims: The purpose of this study was to know the efficacy and safety of NBUVB in children with vitiligo of age group ranging from 3 to 16 years. Methods: Twenty-eight patients (12 males, 16 females), aged 3-16 years with vitiligo were included in the study between years 2011 and 2013 and were treated twice weekly with NBUVB. The starting dose was 150 mJ/cm 2 in children, with 20% dose increments at each subsequent visit given for a maximum period of 1-year and were followed-up for another 12 months for stability of repigmentation. Results: Analysis of our study showed that a majority of our cases, 22 (78.6%) had > 75% to complete repigmentation, about 4 (14.2%) achieved 26-75% moderate repigmentation and 2 (7.2%) had Conclusion: Our study proves that NBUVB therapy is safe and effective tool in the management of childhood vitiligo, with good stability of repigmentation.