Vitiligo is an acquired, pigmentary disorder characterized by loss of melanocytes. While vitiligo can appear at any time from shortly after birth into adulthood, it frequently begins in childhood. Onset during infancy is rare. Vitiligo in the infant can present as a focal macule or patch, in a segmental distribution appearing in a dermatome, or as vitiligo vulgaris. Vitiligo vulgaris has the findings of symmetrically scattered, slowly enlarging depigmented patches on the face (particularly periorificial distribution), trunk, hands, axillae, groin, upper and lower limbs, and body folds.
The natural course of the disease is slowly progressive and may have long periods of quiescence. Most treatment options should be reserved for after infancy.
Vitiligo in Infant/Neonate
See also in: External and Internal Eye,AnogenitalAlerts and Notices
Important News & Links
Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
L80 – Vitiligo
SNOMEDCT:
56727007 – Vitiligo
L80 – Vitiligo
SNOMEDCT:
56727007 – Vitiligo
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Note that albinism (look for abnormal eye color), piebaldism (localized), and other genetic disorders appear more frequently in infancy and have other associated cutaneous findings in addition to a positive family history.
- Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation
- Pityriasis alba – Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation seen in conjunction with eczema.
- Ash leaf macule of tuberous sclerosis – Hypopigmented.
- Nevus depigmentosus – Usually apparent at birth as opposed to vitiligo, which develops after birth.
- Nevus anemicus
- Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis
- Hypomelanosis of Ito
- Waardenburg syndrome – Look for characteristic facial features.
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.
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References
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Last Updated:08/13/2017
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Vitiligo in Infant/Neonate
See also in: External and Internal Eye,Anogenital