Segmental and nonsegmental childhood vitiligo has distinct clinical characteristics: a prospective observational study.
BACKGROUND
Vitiligo often starts in childhood. It is traditionally divided into segmental vitiligo and nonsegmental vitiligo. There are limited data regarding the clinical characteristics of both forms and no comparative study has been performed.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the clinical features of nonsegmental and segmental vitiligo in children.


METHODS
We performed a prospective observational study. Consecutive children with vitiligo seen between October 2005 and December 2007 in the 11 French Departments of Pediatric Dermatology were included. A standardized evaluation was completed after total body clinical examination. A second examination was performed 1 year after inclusion. The clinical characteristics of segmental vitiligo and nonsegmental vitiligo were compared.


RESULTS
A total of 114 children with vitiligo were included. Compared with segmental vitiligo, nonsegmental vitiligo was associated with a higher number of lesions (more than 5 patches in 65.17% vs 20% of patients, P < .0001) and a larger body surface area of involvement (9.8% +/- 2.51% vs 3.48% +/- 1.6%, P +/- .01). A higher incidence of the Koebner phenomenon (47.19% vs 24%, P = .03), and more frequent progression of the disease (23.29% vs 5.56%, P = .043) were found in nonsegmental vitiligo. Hyperpigmented rims surrounding patches of vitiligo were only seen in nonsegmental vitiligo (8.99% vs 0% (P = .007). Sixty-four children (56%) had laboratory investigations performed; thyroid abnormalities were found only in nonsegmental vitiligo (11.23% vs 0%, P = .0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Not all patients underwent laboratory investigations.


CONCLUSIONS
Segmental and nonsegmental types of vitiligo have distinguishing clinical characteristics.
Mazereeuw-Hautier
Juliette
J
Dermatology Department, Université Paul Sabatier, and Department of Dermatology, Toulouse, France. mazereeuw-hautier.j@chu-toulouse.fr
Bezio
Sophie
S
Mahe
Emmanuel
E
Bodemer
Christine
C
Eschard
Catherine
C
Viseux
Valérie
V
Labreze
Christine
C
Plantin
Patrice
P
Barbarot
Sebastien
S
Vabres
Pierre
P
Martin
Ludovic
L
Paul
Carle
C
Lacour
Jean-Philippe
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D014820:Vitiligo / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*