Dr. Thakare Sampada Avinash
Dermatology
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
My cousin's sister is planning to get married to a guy, who has a family history of vitiligo. His parents and paternal aunt are suffering from the same problem and all are having white spots on their bodies. The boy is not having any white spots currently on his body. Can this problem occur in the later stages of his life? What is the chance of vitiligo in the next generation? I need some suggestions. Please suggest the possibility of this problem.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Vitiligo can be inherited in the family, but not in every member of the generation. It is not necessary for vitiligo to develop in childhood; the onset can be at any stage of life. Inheritance was thought to be autosomal dominant with variable expression and incomplete penetrance. It means the next generation may or may not have vitiligo. There is a fair chance that the next generation may not have it and can skip generations. Vitiligo is not predictable. So, there are equal chances.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
What are the chances in percentage whether the boy will get it in later stages of life? Will their children get it? I have heard that some get vitiligo with time. What are the approximate chances of the same? I appreciate your statistical answer. We are in the mid of the decision about the marriage. Please help.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Only 20 % of people have genetic history and so there is no statistical with full evidence. It is variable. I do not think that the decision should be made on this basis. As the boy is not suffering from vitiligo at present, there are equal chances of the boy not getting vitiligo in his life ever or his children in the next generation as genetic predilection is very less.
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Dermatology
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