Hypopigmentary Disorders in Children

• Pigmentary disorders are frequent in children and can result in significant psychosocial problems.
• Hypopigmentary disorders may be caused by absence or reduction of the number of melanocytes. They can also be caused by the reduction or absence of production of melanin (with a normal number of melanocytes).
• Vitligo is a skin disorder which is clinically characterized by depigmented macules. Its cause is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
• Oculocutaneous albinism is a group of inherited diseases which presents congenitally (at birth) with an absence of pigment in the skin, the eyes and the hair (leukotrichosis).

Contributors:

Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland

Source of Information: Chiam LYT. Pigmentary Disorders in Children. NSC Dermatology Update 2012, Singapore