Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2005;210:26-30 (DOI: 10.1159/000081479)

  Key Words

• Vitiligo
• Autoimmune thyroiditis, children

  Abstract

Background: Studies that clearly define the possible association of childhood vitiligo with autoimmune and/or endocrine diseases are lacking. Objective: To examine the presence of autoimmune disorders, in particular of thyroid disease, in paediatric patients with vitiligo and investigate the utility of such screening in these patients. Methods: One hundred and twenty-one paediatric patients (40 males, 81 females) with vitiligo were grouped in segmental and non-segmental vitiligo. All patients were screened for thyroid disease. Results: 13 out of 121 patients had different degrees of thyroid parameter alterations. These patients were all affected by the non-segmental type while none of those with the segmental form presented thyroid alterations. Conclusion: In paediatric patients with non-segmental vitiligo, a significant incidence of thyroid dysfunction was found. Since vitiligo usually appears before the development of the thyroid disease, it may be useful to screen thyroid autoantibodies in all paediatric patients with non-segmental vitiligo who present symptoms related to thyroid disease.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Paolo Iacovelli, MD
Phototherapy Unit, San Gallicano Institute, IRCCS
Via Elio Chianesi, 53
IT-00144 Roma (Italy)
Tel. +39 0652665984, Fax +39 0652665343, E-Mail iacovelli@ifo.it

  Article Information

Received: June 13, 2003
Accepted: August 30, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 33